The ACT has recorded its first confirmed case of hepatitis A infection linked to the contamination of frozen berries.
Australia’s chief medical officer Professor Chris Baggoley confirmed the case on Thursday morning bringing the total confirmed cases to 19.
Seven cases have also been recorded in both Queensland and NSW, with another three in Victoria and one in Western Australia.
The federal Department of Health spokeswoman described the disease as not life-threatening and said most people recover with rest and fluids.
It may, however, cause severe illness in older people, those with chronic liver disease and those who have poor immune systems.
“Of those who catch hepatitis A, not all will develop all of the symptoms,” the spokeswoman said.
“Many will have no symptoms at all with children most likely to have a mild illness so they may not even be recognised as hepatitis A cases.”
More to come.