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Virginia Hepatitis A cases linked to Tropical Smoothie increases to 35

Posted at 12:21 PM, Aug 26, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-26 12:23:11-04

RICHMOND, Va. – There are now 35 confirmed cases of Hepatitis A that are connected to frozen strawberries from Egypt used at Tropical Smoothie Cafes across Virginia, according to a new report from the Virginia Department of Health.

The number has grown by seven in just one day. The previous report given Thursday by the VDH listed the confirmed number of cases at 28.

Ten of the confirmed 35 cases are in the Eastern region of Virginia that includes Hampton Roads, 14 are in the Northern region, five Northwest and six 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.

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

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.

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