People urged to dispose of berries tied to outbreak

OLYMPIA - Although no cases of hepatitis A connected with frozen berries have been reported in Washington, the state Department of Health is urging residents to talk to a doctor if they ate any of the berries within the last two weeks.

The berries, marketed as Townsend Farms Organic Anti-Oxidant Blend, were sold at the Costco warehouse chain. According to the Centers for Disease Control website, as of June 3 the outbreak had sickened 34 people in five states, with five requiring hospitalization.

Costco has removed the remaining berries and is urging people who bought them after February to throw them away.

Department of Health officials urge people to throw the berries out, even if some have been eaten without ill effects.

People who ate the berries within the last two weeks and haven't been vaccinated for hepatitis A should consult a health care provider to determine a course of treatment, the DOH said.

People who are showing symptoms of the disease should consult a doctor immediately, according to the release. Symptoms can appear up to seven weeks after exposure.

Symptoms include yellow skin or eyes, abdominal pain, diarrhea or unusual bowel movements or urine.

People who have had hepatitis A or been vaccinated are unlikely to contract the disease, the DOH said.