It’s the latest tally in what has proven to be widespread illnesses in Virginia from the frozen strawberries that were imported from Egypt and that the restaurant chain has served throughout Virginia this summer. Authorities say individuals who had a strawberry drink from any Tropical Smoothie Cafe between August 5 and August 8 are at the highest risk of infection, but warned that anyone who had a strawberry drink there in the last 50 days is at risk.
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The cafe’s owner said he conducted a deep clean of the restaurant after the diagnosis. The 40 ill residents range in age from 15-68, according to the VDH.
All of the Egyptian-based frozen strawberries were pulled from the 96 Tropical Smoothie Cafe locations by either August 8 or August 9, and health department inspectors independently verified that the strawberries had been pulled, according to department officials. The department also confirmed that all potentially contaminated berries were pulled from the 96 Tropical Smoothie Cafe locations in Virginia no later than August 8 or August 9.
VDH said Monday that more than half the people infected have been hospitalized for their illness.
Victims of the hepatitis outbreak linked to Tropical Smoothie Cafes in Virginia have launched multiple class action lawsuits against the company as the number of cases rise to 28.
Hepatitis A is an inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus.
“He started becoming ill on or about August 12, with HAV symptoms that included achiness and headaches, and eventually started to suffer nausea, stomach and chest pain, and dark-colored urine”, the suit alleges.
The symptoms may appear from 15 to 50 days after exposure; most often, the symptoms appear within four weeks and include tiredness, poor appetite, fever and nausea.
Frequent handwashing with soap and warm water after using the restroom, changing a diaper or handling food can help prevent its spread, officials said.
Vaccines are available at various urgent care clinics and pharmacies throughout Prince William County and at the Health District. Routine vaccination against the virus has reduced the risk of this disease.
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Individuals can contact their local health department with any questions concerning this investigation.
