Costco stores offer Hepatitis A shots after recall, Report

A frozen berry mix recalled by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Saturday, April 16 has prompted Costco Canada to offer Hepatitis A vaccinations.

The membership-only warehouse club is offering the vaccine to anyone who purchased Nature’s Touch Organic Berry Cherry Blend, which is sold exclusively at Costco stores in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador.

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, 13 cases of Hepatitis A have been linked to the product including nine in Ontario, three in Quebec, and one in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The victims got sick in February and March, and three people were hospitalized.

The health agency is urging anyone exposed to the recalled product, or have symptoms of Hepatitis A, to see their health care provider immediately.

The Public Health Agency confirmed Monday that Costco Canada is now offering free Hepatitis A vaccinations for anyone who has been affected by the recall.

Vaccinations can prevent the onset of symptoms if administered within two weeks of exposure.

Hepatitis A signs and symptoms, which typically don’t appear until you’ve had the virus for a few weeks, may include:

Fatigue
Nausea and vomiting
Abdominal pain or discomfort, especially in the area of your liver on your right side beneath your lower ribs
Clay-colored bowel movements
Loss of appetite
Low-grade fever
Dark urine
Joint pain
Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)

The CFIA said the affected product was sold in 1.5 kg packages with best-before dates up to and including March 16, 2018 (UPC code 8 73668 00179 1). Anyone who has the product is urged to throw it out, or return it to the store where it was purchased.

Agencies/Canadajournal