11 Jul 2018 --- Public health officials in Sweden are probing an outbreak of Hepatitis A in Sweden after 13 people are thought to be infected with the virus from a batch of frozen strawberries that were imported from Poland. The Public Health Agency of Sweden (Folkhälsomyndigheten), the National Food Agency (Livsmedelsverket) and local authorities are involved in the investigation which comes after eleven confirmed cases and two suspected cases have been reported.

It has been reported that all the people infected come from different regions of Sweden and include nine women and four men aged 11 to 92. All are understood to have consumed smoothies or desserts containing frozen imported strawberries that were not heated prior to consumption.

Following an initial probe, Swedish authorities have discovered the frozen strawberries came from Poland and they contained the same type of Hepatitis A virus. They are believed to have been sold by a Polish company to a wholesaler in Sweden who then supplied various foodservice outlets and caterers.

One of the people is understood to have consumed the strawberries in a nursing home while another is believed to have eaten strawberries in a smoothie from a juice bar.

A recall is underway.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Hepatitis A virus is transmitted through ingestion of contaminated food and water or through direct contact with an infectious person. Symptoms typically last eight weeks and may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice, fever, and abdominal pain. Acute liver failure may rarely occur with this being more common in the elderly.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that in contaminated food, the highly contagious liver virus is killed when exposed to temperatures of more than 185 degrees F (85 degrees C) for one minute.

To contact our editorial team please email us at editorial@cnsmedia.com