Australia: Lettuce link suggested in hepatitis A outbreak

An investigation has been launched after 12 cases of hepatitis A were confirmed in NSW in the past five weeks. The sufferers are being asked where they have eaten.

The cases have been found to be similar to an ongoing outbreak infecting over a 1000 people in Europe that’s suspected to be associated with lettuce.

Authorities have been questioning the sick people in NSW and believe the common link may be a food distributor through supermarkets or cafes after they were unable to find a restaurant they’d all dined at.

Dr Vicky Sheppeard, Director Communicable Diseases with NSW Health said: “NSW Health is working with the NSW Food Authority to investigate the outbreak, including assessment of patterns of food distribution and any links to overseas outbreaks. However, no specific food has yet been connected to the outbreak.”

“It’s unlikely that lettuce from Europe would come here but there are a few things we’ve got to investigate,” Dr Sheppeard said.

Read more at The Daily Telegraph (Rose Brannan)