The ongoing outbreak of hepatitis A linked to a frozen berry mix sold at Costco is now known to have sickened 119 people in the western United States, according to an update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of these victims, 53 have been hospitalized as a result of their infections. CDC last reported 50 hospitalizations and 113 cases, meaning that 3 of the 6 newly reported cases were hospitalizations. The number of cases by state is as follows: Arizona (16), California (61), Colorado (24), Hawaii (5), New Mexico (5), Nevada (5), and Utah (3). CDC is now reporting that 5 cases have been in children under age 18, and that none of these cases resulted in hospitalization. The frozen berry mix pinpointed as the outbreak source – “Organic Anti-Oxidant Berry Blend” distributed by Townsend Farms of Oregon – was sold at Costco stores in the West and at Harris Teeter stores in the East, but so far no illnesses have been connected to the product sold at Harris Teeter. Costco distributed the product in 12 states, but to date no illnesses have been reported in 5 of these states, including Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. Costco said it sold approximately 330,000 bags of the recalled product between February 2013 and the recall date in late May. The retailer said it contacted approximately 240,000 customers via phone and letters to inform them of the recall.
