Hello CAPS Families, Please see message below from Virginia Department of Health regarding Hepatitis A Out Break: You might have heard recent news stories about a multistate outbreak of hepatitis A potentially associated with specific lots of certain brands of organic frozen berry mixes. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services have learned that some Harris Teeter stores in Virginia have received some of the potentially contaminated product. Virginians may have consumed this product and we will be alerting them today to the possible health risk. They will also be informed to seek medical attention if they become ill. Because patients may come to you with questions and concerns about hepatitis A and any risk associated with this product, I am providing the following information concerning the outbreak and patient management. As of June 6, 2013, 61 people in the United States have been reported to be ill with acute hepatitis A that may be linked with consumption of the frozen berry mix. All of the cases have been reported in seven states in the Western U.S. To date, no cases associated with this outbreak have been documented in the eastern portion of the U.S., including Virginia. In Virginia, the product of concern was sold in Harris Teeter stores from April 20 until June 1, 2013, under the name Harris Teeter Organic Antioxidant Berry Blend, 10 oz. bag and UPC 0 72036 70463 4, with Lot Codes of T041613E or T041613C and a “BEST BY” code of 101614. Persons who still have product in their homes are being asked to discard it. It is our recommendation that anyone who consumed the product within the last 14 days and has not been previously vaccinated against hepatitis A, or anyone who has symptoms compatible with hepatitis A, should contact their physician for evaluation. Persons who have consumed this product within the last 14 days and have not previously been vaccinated for hepatitis A are eligible for post-exposure prophylaxis. Due to the potential that the number of individuals nationwide affected by the recall may exceed the available supply of immune globulin (IG), for this particular situation, VDH is recommending the following guidance for those who are eligible for post-exposure prophylaxis. Please note that this includes a slight deviation in the upper age limit for the use of hepatitis A vaccine to conserve supplies of IG: Guidance for Post-exposure Prophylaxis for Eligible Persons: · Healthy unvaccinated individuals 12 months of age and older should receive hepatitis A vaccine. · Healthy unvaccinated individuals younger than 12 months of age should receive IG. · Persons with severe immunosuppression, liver disease, or a contraindication to vaccine should receive IG. · If IG becomes unavailable, healthy children 6 months to 12 months of age may be vaccinated against hepatitis A in lieu of receiving IG. Please note, for persons who consumed the recalled product greater than two weeks ago, post-exposure prophylaxis is unlikely to be protective at this point. Further information about this outbreak is available from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration. Please contact your local health department if you have questions or need further information.
Posted on: Fri, 07 Jun 2013 18:50:40 +0000
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