A hepatitis A outbreak has affected patients in Indiana, Nebraska and Wisconsin, and authorities say it may link back to blackberries sold at Fresh Thyme grocery stores. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, those affected reported consuming fresh, non-organic blackberries from the grocery store chain, based in Illinois. Of the 11 people who have fallen ill, six have been hospitalized.
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The blackberries were shipped to Fresh Thyme locations in 11 different states, including Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The FDA is urging consumers to discard any blackberries they purchased from Fresh Thyme stores between September 9 and 30.
Unlike hepatitis B and C, which can become chronic, hepatitis A does not lead to chronic infection. In most cases, symptoms resolve on their own within two months of hepatitis A infection. Symptoms, which may develop a few weeks after exposure, include fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, dark urine, low-grade fever, joint pain, itching and jaundice. While hepatitis A can be spread via contaminated food or water, most outbreaks in the U.S. are caused by infections spread from person to person during drug use or other high-risk activities.