THE number of Australians who have become ill with hepatitis A after eating contaminated frozen berry products has climbed to 26.
An update from the federal health department on Wednesday added three more cases — two in Queensland and another in WA.
“The source of the hepatitis A virus is still unconfirmed. However, the berries are the only common exposure for cases,” the update said.
There have now been 11 berry-related hepatitis A cases reported in Queensland, eight in NSW, three in Victoria, two in WA, and one each in ACT and South Australia.
They are linked to eating frozen berry products pulled from store shelves in February.
The recalled items include all 1kg packs of frozen Nanna’s Mixed Berries and Nanna’s Raspberries, and 300g and 500g packs of Creative Gourmet’s Mixed Berries.
Testing of Nanna’s Mixed Berries confirmed a potential contamination, and the other products were withdrawn as a precaution.
People who have eaten the recalled products and feel unwell are advised to speak to their GP.
Despite the food scare, the number of hepatitis A cases reported to authorities this year trails the number reported at the same time last year, 59 compared with 65.