Nevada hepatitis A outbreak could be linked to berries from Costco

Associated Press

Friday, May 31, 2013 | 2:30 p.m.

DENVER — State and federal health officials are investigating an outbreak of hepatitis A in Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday approximately 30 cases have been reported.

CDC says the cases are "potentially associated" with Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend frozen berries purchased from Costco.

Townsend Farms of Fairview, Ore., referred calls to attorney Bill Garr. He didn't immediately return a message.

A Costco spokesman in Issaquah, Wash., says the company has removed the product from stores and is contacting its members.

CDC, the federal Food and Drug Administration and state health departments are investigating.

CDC says hepatitis A is a liver disease ranging from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a severe one lasting several months.