Hepatitis outbreak linked to Costco berries

Video: Hepatitis A Outbreak Linked To Townsend Farms Frozen Berries From Costco

(06-02) 18:30 PDT -- An outbreak of hepatitis A linked to frozen berries bought at Costco has apparently reached Contra Costa County, where public health officials reported Sunday that a 62-year-old woman was hospitalized with the disease last month.

The woman, whose identity was not disclosed, has since recovered.

She was one of about 30 people, scattered across five states, known to have contracted the contagious liver disease after eating a frozen berry mix bought at Costco - Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend. Other cases have been reported in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada.

About 880 bags of the frozen berries have been sold at Costco stores in Contra Costa County during the last four weeks, the county's health services department reported Sunday.

Anyone who has eaten the berries within the last 14 days should contact a doctor. Vaccination within 14 days of exposure to the virus can prevent the disease from developing.

While some hepatitis A cases can be mild, others can be severe, requiring hospitalization. Common symptoms include yellow skin and eyes, nausea, fatigue and brown urine.