Hepatitis A toll from outbreak linked to Chinese frozen berries climbs to 26 cases

Three new cases of hepatitis A linked to recalled frozen berries imported from China have been reported.

Nanna's is one brand linked to an outbreak of hepatitis A. (ABC News: Felicity Sheppard)

The Federal Health Department said two more cases in Queensland and a case in Western Australia had been confirmed.

Health authorities said the new cases take the national figure associated with the current outbreak to 26: three in Victoria, 11 in Queensland, eight in New South Wales, two in Western Australia, and one each in South Australia and the ACT.

The department said the source of the virus was still unconfirmed but the berries were the only common exposure for the cases.

In a statement, the department said there had been 59 cases of hepatitis A in Australia this year, compared to 65 cases at this time last year which were contracted from various sources.

Authorities have recalled Nanna's Mixed Berries 1 kilogram pack, Nanna's Raspberries 1 kilogram pack, Creative Gourmet's Mixed Berries 300 gram pack and Creative Gourmet's Mixed Berries 500 gram pack.

Only the Nanna's Mixed Berries product has been epidemiologically linked with the outbreak and the other products were recalled as a precaution.

People who have eaten the recalled frozen berries and feel unwell are being told to consult their doctor.

Source : ABC News      March 4th 2015