Screening Tool For Hepatitis A Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (Pep) Following Exposure To Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend Or Harris Teeter Organic Antioxidant Berry Blend
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6HEALTH ALERT NETWORK BROADCAST
MESSAGE
FROM: CO-CDPHE
SUBJECT: HAN Update - Hepatitis A Infections Associated with Frozen Berry Mix Consumption
RECIPIENTS: Local Public Health Agencies, Emergency Departments, Infection Control Practitioners, Infectious
Disease Physicians, Clinical Laboratories
RECIPIENT INSTRUCTIONS: Local Public Health Agencies -- please forward this HAN in its entirety on to health care
providers and pharmacies (as much as possible) in your jurisdiction.
This message can also be found on
Health UPDATE for Colorado Health Care Providers
June 4, 2013
UPDATE: Hepatitis A Infections Associated with Frozen Berry Mix Consumption
****Health care providers: Please distribute widely in your office****
KEY POINTS:
This UPDATE provides updated information to the HAN Alert that was distributed on Friday, May 31, 2013.
The following information and clarification is included (updates are highlighted within this document):
Outbreak update:
o
As of June 4, 2013, multiple western states continue to investigate a hepatitis A outbreak associated
with frozen berry mix consumption. In Colorado, 12 cases are under investigation. It is likely the
case count will continue to increase.
On June 3, 2013, Townsend Farms Inc. announced that it has voluntarily recalled certain lots of its
frozen Organic Antioxidant Blend because it has the potential to be contaminated with hepatitis A
virus. This product was sold at Costco stores under the product name Townsend Farms Organic
Antioxidant Blend – 3 pound bags, and Harris Teeter stores under the product name Harris Teeter
Organic Antioxidant Berry Blend - 10 ounce bags (Harris Teeter stores are located in east coast
states).
Regarding post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP):
o
The recommendation for using hepatitis A vaccine for PEP has been expanded to include persons
aged 6 months and older (rather than 12 months and older). Infants between 6 months and 12
months of age who receive a single dose of single antigen hepatitis A vaccine for PEP will still require
the routine 2 dose series of hepatitis A vaccine starting at 12 months of age or greater if long term
immunity is desired.
The efficacy of combined hepatitis A virus / hepatitis B virus vaccine (e.g., Twinrix) for PEP has not
been evaluated, so single antigen hepatitis A vaccine is recommended.
Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers may be given the hepatitis A vaccine for PEP.
Regarding hepatitis A testing:
o
Testing is not recommended for asymptomatic persons, EVEN IF THEY CONSUMED THE
IMPLICATED PRODUCTS, as false-positive hepatitis A IgM antibody results commonly occur.
Suspect cases of hepatitis A should be reported to the state or local public health department immediately (CDPHE
can be reached at 303-692-2700 during business hours or 303-370-9395 after hours).
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