Frozen strawberries imported from Egypt have been linked to an outbreak of hepatitis A at Tropical Smoothie Café. At least 134 illnesses have been confirmed in nine states, with most of the victims in Virginia.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Strawberry Smoothie Hepatitis A induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was diagnosed with hepatitis A or needed a vaccine, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Food Poisoning Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
Hepatitis A Outbreak Linked to Strawberry Smoothies
The outbreak was first identified in August 2016 when the Virginia Department of Health linked 44 cases of hepatitis A to strawberry smoothies served at Tropical Smoothie Café. Nearly all of the victims reported drinking a smoothie before August 9, when the café stopped using strawberries from Egypt. By October 20, 107 cases of hepatitis A were reported in residents of Virginia who were exposed.
Outbreak Case Count by State
On October, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) confirmed 134 illnesses in 9 states, including 52 people who were hospitalized. No deaths were reported.
Case Count by State: Arkansas (1), California (1), Maryland (12), New York (3), North Carolina (1), Oregon (1), Virginia (107), West Virginia (7), and Wisconsin (1).
Frozen Strawberries Imported from Egypt
Lab tests confirmed that the victims were infected with a strain of hepatitis A that caused two previous outbreaks in 2012 and 2013. Over 100 people in Europe were infected after eating frozen strawberries from Egypt or Morocco. Large outbreaks of hepatitis A are rare, but they can occur when raw food is sprayed with irrigation water that is contaminated with sewage.
Tropical Smoothie Café Lawsuits
On September 20, a lawsuit (PDF) was filed by a man from Virginia who had several smoothies in July and August. After experiencing nausea, fever, and body aches, he was diagnosed with hepatitis A and hospitalized for 3 days. Click here to read more.
Another individual lawsuit was filed in late August by a man who was hospitalized for 4 days and is seeking $100,000 in compensation for his pain and suffering, medical expenses, and lost income.
Class Action Lawsuits for Everyone Exposed to Hepatitis
In August 2016, a class action (PDF) was filed in Virginia against Tropical Smoothie Café for everyone who had a smoothie during the outbreak and required a vaccine. Individual lawsuits have also been filed by people who were actually diagnosed with hepatitis A, including one man who was hospitalized for three days.
What is Hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is a virus that causes liver inflammation and spreads in feces. It is extremely contagious, but infections are becoming less common now that more people are being vaccinated. It takes up to 50 days for symptoms to appear, but they often last for months. About 10% of victims experience symptoms for up to six months.
Signs of Hepatitis A Infection
- Abdominal pain
- Yellow eyes or skin (jaundice)
- Pale-colored stools
- Dark urine
- Generally feeling unwell (malaise)
- Loss of appetite
- Weakness and fatigue
Do I have a Hepatitis A Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Strawberry Smoothie Hepatitis A induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was diagnosed with hepatitis A or needed a vaccine, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Food Poisoning Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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