29 September 2022
Warning of potential Hepatitis A risk associated with frozen berries On 14 September, following three genomically linked locally acquired hepatitis A cases, New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) issued a statement warning of potential risk of hepatitis A associated with frozen berries. As of 27/09/2022 there have been 10 cases of locally-acquired hepatitis A in Aotearoa New Zealand reported since June 2022. Seven of these cases have occurred since 6 September. The cases are dispersed throughout the country. Results of genetic sequencing are available on eight cases and all have identical sequence profiles, indicating they are genetically linked, results on the remaining two cases are pending. All cases regularly consume large quantities of uncooked frozen berries. NZFS is conducting an investigation into the recent Hepatitis A cases focused on frozen berries as a potential source. At present no specific brands have been associated with recent cases.
Background information on Hepatitis A Signs and symptoms of Hepatitis A can include fever, malaise, anorexia, nausea or abdominal discomfort, jaundice, and an enlarged tender liver. Children are often asymptomatic and occasionally present with atypical symptoms, including diarrhoea, cough, coryza or arthralgia. Jaundice is very unusual in children younger than 4 years and occurs in only 10 percent of cases in the 4–6 year age group. The incubation period for Hepatitis A ranges from 15-50 days. People are most infectious during the 1-2 weeks before and the first few days after the onset of jaundice. Transmission is by the faecal-oral route, usually person-to-person. Public health services investigate each case of hepatitis A and identify and manage close contacts, this can include recommending vaccination or immunoglobulin. If you suspect a case of Hepatitis A please: •
Notify suspected cases of hepatitis A to the local Medical Officer of Health
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Request hepatitis A IgM serology and LFTs, FBC and CRP. Mark the request “Urgent”.
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Advise the suspected case to not attend work, social events or gatherings if they are an adult. If a child, advise their parent/guardian their child cannot attend