Frozen Berries Sold at Costco Linked to Hepatitis A  New! 

San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) is working with California Department of Public Health (CDPH) due to reports of hepatitis A believed to be associated with Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend frozen berries sold at Costco.  To date, at least 49 cases have occurred in 7 states, including California and the Bay Area (none in San Francisco).  Thousands of bags of this product were sold at Bay Area Costco stores within the past month.

• The public is advised not to eat this brand of frozen berries, and to discard any remaining product from freezers.  Click here to view a picture of the product.
• San Francisco residents who believe they may have consumed the product should contact their medical provider, or dial 311 (415-701-2311 from outside SF) for more information.
• Click here for answers to frequently asked questions about hepatitis A and Townsend Farms Frozen Berries.
• Resources for clinicians: SFDPH Health Alert and CDPH updated guidance for providers on hepatitis A post-exposure prophylaxis.
• CDPH has created a webpage with information for the public and for clinicians.
• For information on the outbreak, visit CDC's webpage.  For CDC advice to consumers, click here.

 

 

Additional Cases of Invasive Meningococcal Disease in Men Who Have Sex with Men in New York City; SFDPH has updated recommendations for Meningococcal Vaccine for Certain San Francisco Men Traveling to New York City   

New York City (NYC) reported 4 new cases of meningococcal disease in men who have sex with men (MSM) on March 6 and have expanded their vaccination recommendations for MSM residing in NYC. San Francisco health officials have updated recommendations to align with NYC’s. We are recommending meningococcal vaccine for San Francisco gay, bisexual and transgender male to female persons who are planning on traveling to NYC and expect to have close or intimate contact with MSM while there. We wanted to inform and protect those who could become infected with meningococcal disease, specifically during travel to NYC. 

For more information:

San Francisco Department of Public Health Health Advisory and Frequently Asked Questions

New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Health Alerts or Patient Fact Sheet.

 

 

Promoting Healthier International Travel

Many travelers head overseas without the protection of effective vaccines or medications to prevent common, debilitating, and life-threatening diseases such as malaria and viral hepatitis. The San Francisco Department of Public Health is sponsoring a local public awareness campaign to encourage international travelers to visit a travel medicine specialist prior to departure.  Read more ...

If your health system does not offer a travel medicine specialist, the AITC Immunization & Travel Clinic is open to the public.