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Media Contact:
Kristina
Wieghmink
Ottawa County Department of Public Health
Public Information Officer
Mobile/text: (616)510-8523
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Five people in Ottawa County received hepatitis A vaccine after eating recalled
frozen strawberries
Since
Friday, November 4, the Ottawa County Department of Public Health (OCDPH) confirmed
with Ottawa County hospitals and pharmacies, which have hepatitis A vaccines
available, that five people who were exposed to the contaminated frozen
strawberries in Ottawa County received the hepatitis A vaccine. If you ate any
of the products at the food establishments listed below, vaccination with hepatitis
A vaccine is encouraged up to 14 days after ingestion to help prevent
contracting hepatitis A disease. This vaccine is only effective for up to 14
days after exposure. Check with your health care provider to see if you’ve
already received the hepatitis A vaccine. If it’s been more than 14 days and
you’re experiencing symptoms of hepatitis A, contact your health care provider
immediately. At this time, there have been no reported cases of hepatitis A in
Ottawa County related to this outbreak.
Hepatitis A is a
contagious liver disease that is a result of infection with the hepatitis A
virus. Hepatitis A can range in severity from mild illness, lasting a few
weeks, to severe illness, lasting several months. Illness generally occurs 15
to 50 days following exposure and includes:
- fever,
- fatigue,
- loss of appetite,
- nausea,
- abdominal pain,
- jaundice (a yellowing of the skin
or eyes),
- abnormal liver tests,
- dark urine,
- and pale stool.
The recalled frozen strawberries were all distributed for
sale and use in food service establishments nationwide. They were not directly
sold to consumers through a grocery store. Local food establishments and
organizations that received the contaminated frozen strawberries have responded
quickly to assure protection of their customers. If you ate strawberries at any
of these five locations within the last 14 days, you should get the hepatitis A
vaccine right away to avoid becoming ill.
- 8th Street Grille, 20 W
8th St, Holland (strawberry shakes)
- Biggby Coffee #323, 7589
Cottonwood Dr, Ste E, Jenison (smoothies with strawberries)
- Biggby Coffee #425, 510 W Savidge,
Spring Lake (smoothies with strawberries)
- Holiday Inn Grand Haven, 940 W
Savidge St, Spring Lake (strawberry vinaigrette)
- Jackie’s Place, 451 W 17th
St, Holland, (strawberry sauce – pancakes and strawberry sundae)
Hepatitis A vaccines
are immediately available at:
- Holland Hospital Urgent Care, 3235
N Wellness Dr, Holland
- Holland Hospital Urgent Care, 8300
Westpark Way, Zeeland
- Spectrum Health Zeeland Community
Hospital Urgent Care, 8333 Felch St, Zeeland
- Walgreens pharmacies in Ottawa
County
Other Ottawa County pharmacies are ordering the hepatitis A
vaccine. Please contact your local pharmacy to verify vaccine availability. If
you are uninsured/under-insured, contact the OCDPH at (616)396-5266 to discuss
health insurance options.
Hand washing is one
of the most important steps to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to
others. Many diseases and conditions are spread by not washing hands with soap
and clean, running water. www.cdc.gov/handwashing
Related Resources:
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