10 Cases Of Hepatitis A Linked To Smoothie Franchise

Smoothies just can’t catch a break. First we find out that they’re packed with sugar and now some of them can even give you hepatitis A.

According to WTKR, some Tropical Smoothies Cafe in Virginia served frozen strawberries in their smoothies that may have a strain of the hepatitis virus. Customers who consumed a smoothie that featured the frozen fruit on the dates August 5-8 will want to get vaccinated or an immune globulin.

According to the Virginia Department of Health there have been 10 cases of hepatitis A linked to the strawberries at the Tropical Smoothie Cafe locations so far.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe has voluntarily removed the frozen fruit, which had been sourced from Egypt, from their stock. Patrons who had one after the aforementioned dates are not believed to be at risk. However, you may still want to keep an eye out for symptoms of hepatitis A which develop 15 to 50 days after exposure to the virus.

Symptoms of the ailment include fever, loss of appetite, fatigue, the yellowing of skin or eyes, nausea, vomiting, and dark urine.

Those who show these signs should seek medical attention immediately and are encouraged to wash your hands frequently with warm soap and water if you plan on handling food, to prevent the spread of the virus.

If you work in food service, just stay home.