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Hepatitis A cases linked to Tropical Smoothie Cafe grow, first lawsuit filed

Posted at 12:15 PM, Aug 25, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-25 20:48:19-04

RICHMOND, Va. – The number of confirmed cases of Hepatitis A that are connected to frozen strawberries from Egypt used at Tropical Smoothie Cafes across Virginia has grown to 28, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

Eight of those cases are in the Eastern region of Virginia that includes Hampton Roads,10 are in the Northern region, five Northwest and five Central.

The Department of Health said that people who consumed smoothies with frozen strawberries from Tropical Smoothie Cafe on August 5, 6, 7 or 8 may benefit from a vaccine or immune globulin to prevent hepatitis A.

On Thursday a lawsuit was filed against TLC Tropical Smoothie, LLC of Richmond.

Constantinos A. Raptis contracted Hepatitis A after purchasing and consuming tainted products from the defendant.

Raptis was a frequent customer of a Tropical Smoothie Cafe in Purcellville, Virginia.

A separate class action class action lawsuit representing all of the victims of the outbreak is expected to be filed on Friday.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe voluntarily withdrew all of the strawberries  sourced from Egypt and found an alternate supply.

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