RICHMOND, Va. – There are now 35 confirmed cases of Hepatitis A that are connected to frozen strawberries from Egypt used at Tropical Smoothie Cafes across Virginia, according to a new report from the Virginia Department of Health.
The number has grown by seven in just one day. The previous report given Thursday by the VDH listed the confirmed number of cases at 28.
Ten of the confirmed 35 cases are in the Eastern region of Virginia that includes Hampton Roads, 14 are in the Northern region, five Northwest and six Central.
The department of health said that people who consumed smoothies with frozen strawberries from Tropical Smoothie Cafe on August 5, 6, 7 or 8 may benefit from a vaccine or immune globulin to prevent hepatitis A.
Tropical Smoothie Cafe voluntarily withdrew all of the strawberries sourced from Egypt and found an alternate supply.
On Thursday a lawsuit was filed against TLC Tropical Smoothie, LLC of Richmond.
Constantinos A. Raptis contracted Hepatitis A after purchasing and consuming tainted products from the defendant.
Raptis was a frequent customer of a Tropical Smoothie Cafe in Purcellville, Virginia.
A separate class action class action lawsuit representing all of the victims of the outbreak is expected to be filed on Friday.
RELATED:
Exclusive: Man who contracted Hepatitis A says he ate Tropical Smoothie often
Hepatitis A cases linked to Tropical Smoothie Cafe grow, first lawsuit filed
Hepatitis A cases linked to Tropical Smoothie Cafe smoothies increases to 23 in Virginia, 8 local
Tropical Smoothie Cafe CEO responds after customers may have been at risk for hepatitis A
Virginia Tropical Smoothie Cafe customers at risk for hepatitis A
