HURON-PERTH – Huron Perth Public Health (HPPH) will hold Hepatitis A vaccination clinics next week.
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) declared a Hepatitis A outbreak on July 31.
Based on the findings of PHAC’s investigation to date, exposure to frozen mangoes appears to be the likely source of the outbreak. Before the outbreak declaration, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) issued a food recall warning on July 30 for various frozen mangoes.
There have been two confirmed cases of the virus in Quebec and one in Nova Scotia. As of Aug. 5, no cases have been reported in Ontario. However, the recalled mangoes were distributed and sold here.
The recalled products are:
- Nature’s Touch Mangoes (frozen) – two kilograms, with a best before date of Nov. 9, 2022;
- Compliments Mango Mania (frozen) – 600 grams, with best before dates of Nov. 10, 2022, and Dec. 18, 2022;
- Irresistibles Mango Chunks (frozen) – 600 grams, with a best before date of Nov. 10, 2022; and,
- President’s Choice Mango Chunks (frozen) – 600 grams, with best before dates of Nov. 6, 2022, and Nov. 10, 2022.
Officials are asking residents to check to see if they have the recalled products in their homes. If you do, the products should be thrown out or returned to the point of purchase. Do not eat the recalled products. Food contaminated with Hepatitis A may not look or smell spoiled.
Hepatitis A vaccinations
HPPH will offer Hepatitis A vaccination clinics on Monday, Aug. 9 and Tuesday, Aug. 10 to those who consumed any of the recalled products in the last 14 days. There is no cost for vaccination. To book an appointment, call HPPH at 1-888-221-2133 ext. 2284.
“I strongly recommend that anyone six months of age and older who has eaten the recalled products in the past 14 days receive the Hepatitis A vaccine,” said Dr. Miriam Klassen, Huron Perth medical officer of health. “Vaccination can prevent the onset of symptoms if given within 14 days of exposure.”
You do not require further vaccine for this exposure if you:
- have received a complete series of Hepatitis A or Hepatitis A/B (Twinrix) vaccine;
- have received a single dose of Hepatitis A vaccine in the past six months; and/or
- have previously had a Hepatitis A infection.
Officials note that those who may have eaten the affected product more than 14 days ago will not benefit from vaccination.
If individuals need to be vaccinated before Monday or Tuesday, they can attend a clinic in a neighbouring region. Middlesex London Health Unit will hold clinics Friday, Aug. 6 and Saturday, Aug. 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at its Citi Plaza office – 355 Wellington Street, Suite 110, London.
About Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a disease that can cause inflammation of the liver. You can get the Hepatitis A virus by eating contaminated food or water, or through contact with an infected person’s faeces (stool). Food and drinks can become contaminated through:
- an infected food handler;
- hands that were not washed properly after using the washroom; and/or
- contamination during harvest, manufacturing and processing.
Most people with Hepatitis A develop symptoms two to seven weeks after being infected with the virus and the illness typically lasts one to two weeks. Symptoms are usually mild and can include fever, loss of appetite, stomach cramps, jaundice, dark urine, and fatigue. People who are immunocompromised, are older, or have a pre-existing chronic liver disease are more at risk of serious illness. Some people do not get sick at all, but they can still spread the virus to others.
It can take up to 50 days for Hepatitis A symptoms to develop. The benefits of vaccination will only be seen for those who have consumed the product in the last 14 days. Those who consumed the product outside this time frame are encouraged to speak to their health care provider with their concerns or if symptoms develop.
For more information about the recall, visit the CFIA’s website.
For more information about hepatitis A, click here.
