Health
SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) today warned consumers not to eat Woodstock Frozen Organic Pomegranate Kernels as they may be linked to a multistate outbreak of hepatitis A infections.
Scenic Fruit Company of Gresham, Ore., announced on June 26 that it was voluntarily recalling Woodstock Frozen Organic Pomegranate Kernels, because it has the potential to be contaminated with the Hepatitis A virus.
No illnesses have been associated with Woodstock Frozen Organic Pomegranate Kernels at this time.
The outbreak investigation associated with Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend berries identified the pomegranate seeds in the blend as the likely source of the contamination.
The same pomegranate seeds were also used by the Scenic Fruit Company in their bags of Woodstock Frozen Organic Pomegranate Kernels.
“People who have bought this product should discard it if still found in their home,” said Dr. Ron Chapman, CDPH Director and State Health Officer. “Anyone who has consumed this specific product in the last 14 days should contact their doctor to discuss possible hepatitis A prevention and treatment options.”
This product is sold throughout California, and CDPH is working with the Food and Drug Administration and local public health officials to remove the product from store shelves.
The following link leads to a list of retailers identified as receiving the affected product: http://www.cdph.ca.gov/pubsforms/documents/fdbFrSCE1d.pdf .
Retailers who have received the affected shipments in Lake County include Hardester’s Markets in Cobb, Middletown and Hidden Valley Lake.
Symptoms of Hepatitis A virus infection include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, clay-colored bowel movements, joint pain and jaundice (a yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Symptoms develop two to six weeks after consuming contaminated food or drink and can last from one week to several months.
Most people recover completely, but sometimes hepatitis A can lead to hospitalization and severe illness. It is very important that if you experience symptoms that you do not go to work, especially if you work in food service, health care or child care.
For more details see the CDPH fact sheet, http://www.cdph.ca.gov/HealthInfo/discond/Documents/CDCHepAGeneralFactSheet.pdf .
Additional details on this ongoing outbreak can be found on the CDPH Web site, http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/immunize/Pages/CommunicableDiseaseOutbreaks.aspx , and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site, http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/Outbreaks/2013/A1b-03-31/index.html .
People who develop symptoms of hepatitis should consult their health care provider. For more information on hepatitis A, visit http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/Outbreaks/2013/A1b-03-31/advice-consumers.html .
- Details
- Written by: Editor
Physician Compare, a Web site that allows consumers to search and compare information about hundreds of thousands of physicians and other health care professionals, has been redesigned to make the site easier to use and provide new information for consumers.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Marilyn Tavenner announced the redesign, which includes an improved search function and more frequently updated information.
“Nearly a million physicians and other health care professionals serve the Medicare population,” said Tavenner. “This vastly improved Web site will provide new information in an improved, easy-to-use format.”
Physician Compare was improved based on user and partner feedback, as part of improvements in the Affordable Care Act.
The redesign includes new information on physicians, such as:
- Information about specialties offered by doctors and group practices;
- Whether a physician is using electronic health records;
- Board certification; and
- Affiliation with hospitals and other health care professionals.
Physician Compare is also now connected to the most consistently updated database so that consumers will find the most accurate and up-to-date information available.
In 2014 quality data will be added, and this will help users choose a medical professional based on performance ratings.
Visit the Physician Compare Web site at http://www.medicare.gov/physiciancompare or go to www.medicare.gov and click on “Find doctors & other health professionals.”
- Details
- Written by: Editor
How to resolve AdBlock issue?