Contaminated berries

A frozen berry mix sold at Costco has sparked an outbreak of hepatitis A.

The California Department of Public Health and the Food and Drug Administration
are investigating several western states, including California, Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada.

All the Costcos in our area have pulled the Townsend Farms frozen organic berry mix packages, based out of Oregon.

There are no confirmed cases in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo or Ventura counties.

Several of the 30 reported cases are in southern California and Los Angeles county.

Doctors say anyone exposed should be vaccinated quickly.

Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease and can take 30 days to show symptoms, which include yellowing of the eyes or skin, dark urine, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

For more information, contact health officials at Santa Barbara County Public Health at 805-681-4373, or in San Luis Obispo at 805-781-5500.