Hepatitis A Virus: How and Why Strawberries Are The Culprit?

Around 89 people have been infected with Hepatitis A and the outbreak has been linked to strawberries used in smoothies that were served from the different branches of Tropical Smoothie Café.

Food Poison Journal reported that the outbreak has involved sevens states as of September 8, 2016. The states were North Carolina, New York, West Virginia, Maryland, Oregon, Virginia, and Wisconsin. At least 54 people who were infected by Hepatitis A virus confirmed consuming smoothies that contain strawberries and at least 39 people have been hospitalized because of the outbreak

 It was reported that the fresh strawberries were imported from Egypt. Currently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have been investigating the case and they are in touch with the Egyptian International Health Regulation National Focal Point.

Why Strawberries?

According to Benjamin Chapman, the professor at North Carolina State University, berries are a "common conduit" for many viruses. Fox News reported that since berries such as strawberries are quite delicate by nature, it needs to be harvested by hands. If the one handling the berries are infected by Hepatitis A, it is likely that the virus is going to be transferred to the berries.

Experts are also trying to find out if the water is infected with the virus. It is possible that the water used in irrigation might have been contaminated, especially the overhead water irrigation. If the virus attaches to the strawberries, it is quite difficult to remove it. Actually, no amount of washing and rinsing can remove the virus. Freezing the strawberries will only help in keeping the virus alive. Heat can probably kill the virus but most of us do not heat frozen berries before actually eating it.

Tropical Smoothie Café reported that they've removed all Egyptian frozen strawberries from all of their cafes nationwide.  The FDA is reportedly improving their monitoring and surveillance of imported berries entering the United States.