The City of Laredo Health Department Confirms Hepatitis A Case
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Jun 2, 2022, 0 Comments
Courtesy Eliseo Ceja,
LAREDO, Texas – The City of Laredo Health Department has confirmed the first case of Hepatitis A this year. Currently, there are no additional cases epidemiologically linked.
This is the first confirmed case of hepatitis since 2015. The individual is now in good condition.
The case was first detected at a local hospital on April 27th and reported to the City of Laredo Health Department on Friday, May 27th. The list of events is as follows:
Began feeling sick (symptoms) Saturday, April 23rd
Experienced fever and jaundice on April 26th and visited the ER
Labs were collected on April 27th
Admitted to the hospital April 27th and discharged May 1st
Based on the Texas Department of State Health Services epidemiology case criteria document, the patient is a confirmed case based on laboratory results identifying the reactive immunoglobulin (IgM) antibody to hepatitis A virus (Anti-HAV IgM) lab results. Due to the laboratory result being reported late, the City of Laredo Health’s Epidemiology Division cannot confirm the source of infection.
The City of Laredo Health Department reminds the community of the outbreak investigation on Hepatitis A reported by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
For more information about the Healthy Living/Viviendo Mejor program, as well as other sites for classes, please contact Fabiola Guerra, Project Coordinator at the City of Laredo Health Department at (956) 721-4994.
The outbreak is mainly linked to fresh organic strawberries branded as Freshkampo and H-E-B, purchased between March 5, 2022, and April 25, 2022. The Laredo Health Department will work with the Texas Department of State Health Services for further instruction and investigation.
The City of Laredo Health Environmental Services Division visited local HEBs, Walmart, and local produce distributors to check for the Freshkampo brand of strawberries subject to the recall. None were found. According to H-E-B, no illnesses related to the FDA investigation have been reported in Texas, and no organic strawberries have been received since April 16. At this time, any product purchased between March and April is beyond its shelf life; however, if your household froze the strawberries and did not recall when or where they bought them, it is best to dispose of them.
We continue to recommend to the public to seek vaccinations. Vaccines against Hepatitis A and B are highly effective in preventing virus infection. Receiving the entire vaccine series (all of the required shots) results in long-term protection. Practicing good hygiene also plays a vital role in preventing the spread of hepatitis
We remind the public that anyone with knowledge of a person with a Texas Notifiable Disease/Condition must be reported to the City of Laredo Health Department within a week of detection at ogarcia2@ci.laredo.tx.us or through fax at 956-795-4953. Hepatitis A must be reported within one working day.
We urge the community to report infectious diseases like Hepatitis A within the appropriate time to allow Laredo Health’s Epidemiology Division to conduct a thorough and mitigative investigation ensuring infection control and the safety of our community.
For more information, you may contact our epidemiology division at 956-523-7841
