gyQWTXN4_400x400The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is investigating an outbreak of hepatitis A cases and has identified a potential association with smoothies that contained frozen imported strawberries suspected to be contaminated with the hepatitis A virus.  Those smoothies would have been consumed before August 9th, 2016.  Tropical Smoothie Cafes in Virginia received this product and ensured it was removed from use at all their restaurant locations by or before August 9th.

As of 12:00 pm on *October 13, 2016, 107 Virginia residents who had tested positive for hepatitis A reported consuming a smoothie at Tropical Smoothie Café prior to becoming ill. Approximately 35% of the residents, for whom information is available, have been hospitalized for their illness. The 107 ill residents range in age from 14-70. Onsets of illness for the 107 cases range from early May through September. The count by region is:  60 Northern, 17 Northwest, 17 Eastern, 13 Central, 0 Southwest.