The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is working with local health departments, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate a multistate outbreak of hepatitis A(link is external) that may be linked to fresh, non-organic blackberries. These blackberries were sold at Fresh Thyme Farmers Market stores during September 9 through September 30, 2019.

A single, common supplier of these berries has not been identified and no recall has been issued at this time.Ill patients reported eating fresh, non-organic blackberries from Fresh Thyme Farmers Market stores in Indiana, Nebraska, and Wisconsin.

As of November 20, 2019, the CDC reports that 11 people in 3 states are infected with the outbreak strains of hepatitis A. Six people have been hospitalized.

Wisconsin has 3 confirmed cases linked to this outbreak.

Ill patients reported their illnesses starting between October 15 and November 5, 2019.

If you purchased any blackberries from Fresh Thyme between September 9 and September 30, 2019, do not eat them and throw them away. Check your freezer for these blackberries. If you froze them to eat later, do not eat them and throw them away.

If you ate any of these blackberries within the last two weeks and are not vaccinated against hepatitis A, contact your doctor or local health department to discuss vaccination options.

Symptoms of hepatitis A infection can include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dark urine, clay-colored stool, fever, chills, and yellow skin and eyes (jaundice). Hepatitis A symptoms occur between 15 and 50 days after exposure and can last for several weeks to months. Most people recover from hepatitis A on their own, but occasionally patients may need to be hospitalized. Hepatitis A is rarely fatal.

Antibiotics do not work against hepatitis A virus.