The Netherlands: Hepatitis A outbreak linked to Albert Heijn’s frozen blueberries
The Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu (RIVM) in the Netherlands reports at least 12 people have contracted hepatitis A after eating Albert Heijn’s own-brand frozen blueberries.
The RIVM received reports of patients with hepatitis A from the GGD (Municipal Health Service)'and in the south and southwest of the Netherlands. The patients became ill between November 26, 2024 and December 22, 2024.
Officials say it is possible that more people have had the infection unnoticed. Two patients were admitted to hospital.
Following the reports, the GGDs involved contacted the RIVM and the NVWA investigation into the possible source of the infections. Questionnaires showed that the likely source was frozen blueberries. Yesterday, laboratory research showed that the virus was actually in the berries.
Albert Heijn warned on January 13, 2025 for blueberries that may be contaminated with hepatitis A. Eating the berries can cause health problems. It concerns AH Bag with blueberries 1 kg(kilogram)(frozen) with expiration date 14-4-2026. It is better not to eat these blueberries to prevent hepatitis A.
Hepatitis A and the Hep A vaccine
Hepatitis A is a disease that you can get from a virus. The hepatitis A virus can cause inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis A is rare in the Netherlands.
Sometimes people with hepatitis A have few or no symptoms at all. This is especially the case with young children. Adults usually feel sicker than children.
Symptoms of hepatitis A may include:
nauseous,
very tired,
little desire to eat,
fever,
a feeling like you have the flu,
yellowing of the whites of the eyes and skin,
dark urine,
light colored stool (gray-white),
pain in the upper right side of the abdomen.
The symptoms usually last a few weeks. It can also last longer, up to 3 months.
The time between becoming infected and becoming ill is 2 to 7 weeks.
Prevention against hepatitis A include good hand hygiene and vaccination.