Costco Frozen Berry Mix Linked to Hepatitis Outbreak Seen in 5 States

A hepatitis outbreak has been linked to a berry mix commonly found in Costco stores. According to various health officials, at least 30 people have fallen ill in over five states from a frozen berry and pomegranate mix.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention said, via USA Today, that the first victims became ill on April 29, with cases reported as late as May 17. With reports in Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona and California, officials believe more new cases will be reported in the future.

According to William E. Gaar, an attorney for Townsend Farms, via CNN, company records indicate that this fruit mix was made with contaminated ingredients.

The outbreak has now been traced to a type of pomegranate seeds from Turkey that reports say are in the Townsend Farms fruit mix.

The mix contains pomegranate seeds and other produce from Argentina, Chile and the United States, according to the label.

The Mayo Clinic lists Hepatitis A as a highly contagious liver infection. The hepatitis A virus is also one of several types of hepatitis viruses that cause inflammation that affects the liver's ability to function.

A spokesperson for the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Lola Russell, notes, via USA Today, that this strain is known to circulate in North America and the Middle East. The same type of hepatitis A was identified in a 2013 outbreak in Europe linked to frozen berries and another one in 2012 in Canada linked to a frozen berry blend with pomegranate seeds from Egypt, she said.