At Canada, Nature’s Touch Frozen Food Inc. is recalling various frozen mangoes due to possible hepatitis A virus contamination. The products were sold in Saskatchewan, to Manitoba, in Ontario, to Québec, to New Brunswick, et en New Scotland and may have been distributed in other provinces and territories. This recall was triggered by findings during an investigation into an outbreak of foodborne hepatitis A. Recalls of other products are possible.
Reminders onhepatitis A.
The hepatitis A virus is a member of the family of Picornaviridæ and belongs to the genre Hepatovirus. It is transmitted mainly by the faecal-oral route, most often indirectly, through contaminated water or food, more rarely directly in contact with a patient. The virus is excreted in large quantities in the stools of sick people. It can then contaminate the environment, especially water, where it can survive for many months. Water-borne outbreaks, although rare, usually originate in drinking water contaminated with sewage or insufficiently treated.
The hepatitis A virus is cosmopolitan and causes sporadic cases (a few unrelated cases) or epidemics, often cyclically.
The incubation period is 14-28 days. Symptoms can be mild or severe. There may be fever, poor general health, loss of appetite, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal discomfort, dark urine and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes).
Unlike hepatitis B and hepatitis C, hepatitis A does not cause chronic liver disease. The severe forms are exceptional in children but their frequency increases with age. Fulminant hepatitis (acute liver failure) is associated with high mortality.
Source : ProMED.
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