Contaminated berries sold in Idaho

Stores in Idaho have sold frozen berries that are being linked to a national hepatitis A outbreak.

The brand, Townsend Farms Organic Anti-Oxidant Blend, is sold by Costco. The company is notifying its members who bought the berries since late February.

The store has removed the berries from its shelves. People who have any of this berry mix in their freezers should discard all remaining product.

About 34 people from Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona and California have been reported with hepatitis A infections that may be associated with consuming the berry mix. Although the berries were sold in Idaho and Washington state as well, neither state has reported people getting sick from the fruit.

People who have eaten these berries and develop yellow eyes or skin, abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, pale stools or dark urine should contact their healthcare provider immediately, according to a news release from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare on Monday.

Symptoms usually develop between two and seven weeks after ingesting a contaminated food or beverage. The department said it is important if you have these symptoms that you do not go to work, especially if you work in food service, health care or child care.

If you consumed the berries within the last two weeks, you can prevent illness by receiving a vaccination if you have not been vaccinated for hepatitis A before. People can contact their health care provider or their local public health district for vaccination information. If you received the vaccine in the past, you are unlikely to come down with the disease.

Hepatitis A is an acute liver disease often caused by improper handwashing by a food handler.