NORFOLK, Va. - The number of Virginia hepatitis A cases linked to Tropical Smoothie Cafeincreased to 104, according to the Virginia Department of Health.
The cases are connected to frozen strawberries from Egypt used at Tropical Smoothie Cafes across Virginia.
The VDH says onsets of the illness for the 102 cases range from early May through September. Previously, Department of Health said that only people who consumed smoothies with frozen strawberries from Tropical Smoothie Cafe on August 5, 6, 7 or 8 may be at risk.
Of the 104 confirmed cases, 17 are in the Eastern region of Virginia that includes Hampton Roads, 59 are in the Northern region, 17 are in the Northwest and 13 are in the Central region.
Ron Simon & Associates in Houston is one of a few law firms in the country specializing in food poisoning. Ron Simon is representing Robert Daly, a Woodbridge man who got sick August 24 and was hospitalized for three days. Simon told News 3 his client is still recovering under the care of a GI specialist and his primary care provider.
"We've been called by numerous citizens of Virginia and Maryland and surrounding states, that are part of this Tropical Smoothie outbreak," said Simon.
In the lawsuit, Simon is demanding more than $300,000 dollars in damages for Daly.
The 104 ill residents range in age from 14-70. Approximately 35% of the residents have been hospitalized for their illness.
Tropical Smoothie Cafe voluntarily withdrew all of the strawberries sourced from Egypt and found an alternate supply.
A class action class action lawsuit representing all of the victims of the outbreak has been filed.
The investigation into the outbreak is ongoing.
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