UPDATE : As of June 14, there have been nine total cases with six in Washington state, two in California, and one in Oregon. There have been three hospitalizations and no deaths. The last reported illness was April 12.

Willamette Valley Fruit Co. of Salem, Oregon, is recalling packages of frozen fruit that may be contaminated with hepatitis A virus (HAV), according to MSNBC.

The company voluntarily recalled select packages of frozen fruit containing strawberries grown in Mexico that may be contaminated with HAV, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported. "

HAV is an acute form of hepatitis, meaning that it does not cause long-term, or chronic, infection. It is spread from one person to another when the fecal matter of someone with HAV gets into another person’s mouth, which can happen in a number of ways, including eating food handled or prepared by someone with hepatitis A. If you have had hepatitis A once, you cannot be infected with the virus again. However, you can still be infected with other hepatitis viruses, such as hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus.

Potentially contaminated products were distributed in a number of states at such retailers as Walmart, Costco Wholesale Stores and HEB, the FDA said.

The recall impacts the following select lot numbers and best-by dates for the products sold at Walmart: 

  • Great value sliced strawberries, 64 oz. (Lot 4018305, best by: 7/19/2024; lot 4019304, best by: 7/20/2024)
  • Great value mixed fruit, 64 oz. (lot# 4024205, best by 7/25/2024; lot# 4025305, best by 7/26/2024; lot# 4032305, best by 8/2/2024; lot# 4033305, best by 8/3/2024; lot# 4034305, best by 8/4/2024; lot# 4035305, best by 8/5/2024)
  • Great value antioxidant fruit blend, 40 oz. (lot# 4032305, best by 8/2/2024)

Out of an abundance of caution, the FDA recommends that consumers check their freezers for recalled products or throw away any frozen fruit packages purchased from Willamette Valley Fruit Co.

For more information, check out the FDA’s recall online here.

To learn more, click #Hepatitis A or Health Basics on Hepatitis A. It reads in part:

Not everyone who contracts hepatitis A virus (HAV) will experience noticeable symptoms. For example, many babies and young children with HAV do not experience any symptoms of infection. Symptoms are much more likely to occur in older children, adolescents and adults. 

 

Symptoms of hepatitis A (and acute hepatitis in general) can include:

— Yellowing of the skin, whites of the eyes and under the fingernails (jaundice)

— Feeling tired and rundown (fatigue)

— Pain in the upper-right abdomen

— Loss of appetite

— Weight loss

— Fever

— Nausea

— Diarrhea

— Vomiting

— Dark urine and/or pale stool

— Joint pain.

 

It can take the immune system up to eight weeks to clear HAV from the body. If symptoms occur, they usually do so within two to four weeks after infection. The symptoms of hepatitis A can last anywhere from a week to more than a month. About 15% of people with hepatitis A experience symptoms that last between six to nine months.

 

The usual treatment for hepatitis A is bed rest. It is also important to drink plenty of fluids, particularly if you are experiencing diarrhea or vomiting. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, etc.), can help manage some of the symptoms of hepatitis A, although it’s best to consult with your health care provider before using any medications.