A possible outbreak of hepatitis a associated with semidried tomatoes, England, July-November 2011

Abstract

In October 2011, two primary cases of hepatitis A virus NM (HAV) infection with identical HAV genotype IB strains to those seen in other outbreaks associated with semidried tomatoes were reported in England. Both cases had consumed semi-dried tomatoes. Epidemiological investigations revealed two additional cases of genotype IB strains with different sequences who also reported having consumed semi-dried tomatoes. In November, five cases of HAV infection with closely related strains were identified in the Netherlands. A foodborne multiple-strain outbreak is suspected.