07 November 2009

Precautionary warning: Semi-dried tomatoes linked to Hepatitis A

NSW Health is warning people, as a precautionary measure, not to eat loose semi-dried tomatoes unless they have been thoroughly cooked because recent evidence from Victoria shows an association between developing hepatitis A and contaminated semi-dried tomatoes.

An ongoing investigation of a large outbreak of hepatitis A in Victoria has identified more than 80 people with hepatitis A, two thirds of whom ate semi dried tomatoes before getting sick.

Director of Communicable Diseases at NSW Health, Dr Jeremy McAnulty said public health investigators in Victoria suspect that the affected tomatoes are sold loosely in delicatessens and are likely to be served in restaurants, cafes and sandwich shops.

"Despite a comprehensive and complex investigation, no single supplier of semi-dried tomatoes has been proven to be to the cause of the Victorian outbreak," Dr McAnulty said.

The Victorian Department of Health reports that approximately half of the cases in the outbreak required hospitalisation.

Although once common in the community, hepatitis A in NSW is now usually seen in people who have returned from overseas travels. 

Since 15th August, NSW Health authorities are aware of five cases of hepatitis A who had not recently travelled overseas. Three of these ate semi-dried tomatoes in the weeks before getting sick and it is possible that these cases may be related to the outbreak in Victoria. By comparison, six locally-acquired cases of hepatitis A were reported in NSW for the whole of 2008.

"We are working closely with the Victorian health authorities and will continue to monitor the situation closely," Dr McAnulty said.

Symptoms of hepatitis A include fever, nausea, poor appetite, abdominal discomfort, dark urine and jaundice (yellowing of a person's skin and eyes). These symptoms develop between 2 and 7 weeks after exposure. The illness may last several weeks. 

Dr McAnulty advises anyone with symptoms of hepatitis to see a doctor as soon as possible.

Most people make a complete recovery although some people develop severe illness and may require hospitalisation. Some people, such as young children, may not get any symptoms at all.

Hepatitis A is spread when traces of faecal matter containing the virus contaminates hands, objects, water or food and is then taken in by mouth.

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au