The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit is reassuring area residents it's on top of the situation when it comes to dealing with a potential Hepatitis A outbreak.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency issued a recall on April 15 of Nature's Touch Organic Berry Cherry blend frozen fruit sold at Costco because of possible Hepatitis A contamination.
Associate Medical Officer of Health Dr. Wajid Ahmed says the health unit has been working closely with Costco on the matter.
"It's a new experience for us, so we're working and trying to build those bridges so we can produce and effective response for the community," says Ahmed.
He feels the company's response to the situation has been appropriate.
"Costco being one of the biggest retailers in the country, I think they're doing the best they can in terms of providing the information and we're working closely with them to make sure that we are in the loop and that the community is protected," says Ahmed.
There are no confirmed cases of Hepatitis A infection in Windsor-Essex as a result of the recall, but the Public Health Agency of Canada reports nine confirmed cases in the province related to the product.
Ahmed says Hepatitis A symptoms include abdominal pain, stomach aches and even jaundice.
He stresses the importance of hand washing in stopping the spread of Hepatitis A not to mention other viruses.
"The virus spreads itself through oral fecal contamination," says Ahmed. "So basically if someone is infected and if they are not washing their hands properly and touching foods and serving that food to others, they can potentially transmit this infection to others."
The health unit is advising anyone who has eaten the recalled fruit to contact Costco, their doctor or the health unit to look into getting a vaccine within 14 days of eating the fruit.
