The FDA Is Investigating Hepatitis A Cases Tied to Fresh Strawberries Everyday Health MenuNewslettersSearch Public Health News The FDA Is Investigating Hepatitis A Cases Tied to Fresh StrawberriesFresh organic strawberries from FreshKampo and HEB brands have been linked to a multistate hepatitis A outbreak, according to the FDA. By Lisa RapaportMay 31, 2022Fact-CheckedThe FDA did not state how the strawberries may have become contaminated with the virus.Getty ImagesThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating a multistate outbreak of hepatitis A infections potentially linked to fresh organic strawberries. Several hepatitis A cases have been identified in California, Minnesota, and Canada involving patients who purchased fresh organic strawberries branded as FreshKampo or HEB prior to becoming ill, the FDA said in a statement. These purchases occurred between March 5, 2022, and April 25, 2022. While this investigation is ongoing, the FDA said that these strawberries, “are a likely cause of illness in this outbreak.” The affected strawberries are now past their shelf life and should be thrown away, not eaten, the FDA said. People who froze the berries for future use should also throw them away. Strawberries Were Sold at Several Food Chains Several retailers sold these strawberries, including Aldi, HEB, Kroger, Safeway, Sprouts Farmers Market, Trader Joe’s, Walmart, Weis Markets, and WinCo Foods. “If you are unsure of what brand you purchased, when you purchased your strawberries, or where you purchased them from prior to freezing them, the strawberries should be thrown away,” the FDA said. Any consumers who bought these berries and ate them within the last two weeks should seek immediate medical attention if they haven’t been vaccinated against hepatitis A, the FDA said. RELATED: What Is Hepatitis A? The hepatitis A vaccine is typically administered in early childhood, in two doses at least six months apart. It is also recommended for international travelers and certain other individuals at high risk for hepatitis A infections, including injection drug users and men who have sex with men, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). People who have recently consumed strawberries linked to hepatitis A can get what’s known as a post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) vaccination, which can help prevent infection if administered within 14 days of exposure to the virus, according to the FDA. Hepatitis A is highly contagious, according to the CDC. It can be spread by exposure to microscopic amounts of the virus either through close personal contact with an infected person or by eating contaminated food or drink. Symptoms can last up to two months and include fatigue, nausea, stomach pain, and jaundice. Most people with hepatitis A do not have long-lasting illness, according to the CDC. Doctors can often treat the virus with plenty of rest and adequate fluids and nutrition. In rare cases, hepatitis A can lead to sudden loss of liver function, particularly in older adults or individuals with chronic liver disease, according to the Mayo Clinic. Some patients with acute liver failure may require a transplant. How Do You Protect Yourself From Infection Vaccination is the best protection against the virus. Good hand hygiene — regular hand-washing before food preparation or after using the toilet or changing a diaper — can also help prevent infection, according to the Mayo Clinic. International travelers should take additional precautions, including peeling and washing produce and cooking meat before consumption, and using bottled water for drinking and to brush teeth. 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