Make wishtv.com your home page

Frozen strawberries linked to possible hepatitis A outbreak

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – A multi-state outbreak of hepatitis A could be linked to frozen strawberries from Egypt, according to the Indiana State Department of Health.

ISDH said the recalled strawberries have been distributed to local restaurants in several Indiana counties, including Marion, Hamilton and Hendricks counties. The list of counties could grow as the ISDH continues to investigate.

Names of two Marion County restaurants that used the recalled strawberries have now been released.

ISDH said the El Rey Del Taco located at 3925 North High School Road and the Don Marcos Ice Cream at 4779 North Post Road both used the recalled strawberries in menu items.

Both restaurants have fully cooperated with the Marion County Public Health Department after learning of the recall.

The contaminated strawberries were not distributed to schools or nursing homes in Indiana.

Hepatitis A is caused by a virus that inflames the liver. Signs and symptoms of infection include:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Loss of appetite
  • Abdominal pain
  • Fever
  • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)

Symptoms can take up to 50 days to appear after exposure. ISDH said not everyone infected with the virus will exhibit symptoms, but all infected individuals can transmit the disease to others through contact with stool or unwashed hands.

At least eight restaurants in the identified counties say they’ve served the strawberries in the last two weeks. 24-Hour News 8 has reached out to ISDH  for a list of those restaurants. Health officials say if you’ve consumed strawberries at a restaurant in those counties since Nov. 1 you should contact the local health department for more information.

The investigation into the frozen strawberries began in January when the national recall was issued. ISDH said they were notified on Nov. 8 that those strawberries were distributed in Indiana.

For more information about the recall click here, To contact ISDH, click here.