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The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has reported on an outbreak of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection in residents and travellers to Italy
Since 1 January 2013, 15 laboratory confirmed cases of HAV infection have been reported in Germany, the Netherlands and Poland. All cases had travelled to the autonomous provinces of Trento and Bolzano in northern Italy during the exposure period. During the same period, Italy experienced an increase in cases of HAV infection both in the province of Trento and at national level. As the cases do not have a travel history outside the EU within their period of potential exposure, this strongly suggests an outbreak involving several EU Member States, with exposure currently occurring in one EU Member State.
The descriptive epidemiology points at a continuous common source of infection. Preliminary epidemiological and environmental investigations indicate mixed frozen berries as the most likely vehicle of infection for this outbreak.
A large number of cases reported consumption of berries prior to disease onset. In addition, HAV was isolated from a pack of mixed frozen berries at the residence of one case. RNA sequencing and interviews of patients should provide further evidence to confirm the hypothesis of mixed frozen berries as the vehicle of infection.
An outbreak of HAV in Nordic countries was previously reported on 19 April 2013, and the common source of infection was considered to be frozen berries also.
(Via ECDC - accessed 30/05/13)
Advice for Travellers
Travellers to this area of northern Italy should be made aware of this outbreak and be advised to avoid the consumption of frozen berries. The Swedish National Food Administration recommends that frozen purchased berries should be cooked before they are eaten.
