If you are from Virginia, scroll down and read up. Before you order your favorite smoothie at the Tropical Smoothie Cafe in town, you might want to know that the establishment isn't currently friends with the health department.
Strawberry Smoothies May Lead To Hepatitis A
News 3 reports that those who consumed a strawberry smoothie from Tropical Smoothie Cafe in Virginia from August 5 to 8, may be at risk for hepatitis A. Since then, a total ten hepatitis A cases have been reported that were associated to the strawberry smoothies from the said cafe.
Good news is that those who have received vaccination for hepatitis A and those who have had hepatitis A have nothing to worry about. For being vigilant, they are immune to the virus.
Where Did The Strawberries Come From?
According to News 3, the frozen strawberries causing hepatitis A came from Egypt and had been the source of past outbreaks. Tropical Smoothie Cafe immediately stopped using the strawberries they ordered Egypt and found a new supplier.
Still, health officials are concerned that the frozen strawberries may have been bought by other restaurants and suppliers. So those who have had a strawberry smoothie within the last 50 days, watch out for symptoms of hepatitis A.
According to Mayo Clinic, symptoms of hepatitis A include fatigue, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain or discomfort, clay-colored bowel movements, loss of appetite, low-grade fever, dark urine, joint pain
and yellowing of the skin and eyes or jaundice. These signs and symptoms may be noticeable after a few weeks of acquiring the virus.
What Are Other Cases of Hepatitis A Outbreaks In U.S. History?
As per Healthline, there had been a hepatitis-A related frozen strawberry scare in 1977 that made federal authorities recall more than a million pounds of strawberries from Mexico. The frozen strawberries had reached California and were feared to spread the virus.
In 2003, another hepatitis A outbreak was reported to have started from Chi-chi's restaurant in Monaca, Pennsylvania that were caused by green onions. According to the CDC as per Healthline, this was the largest hepatitis A outbreak in U.S. history after killing four people and making hundreds sick.
What do you think will happen with the sales of Tropical Smoothie Cafe in Virginia? Would you still order a strawberry smoothie from that place? Sound off your thoughts in the Comments section and follow Parent Herald for more news and updates.
