Doctors are reminding residents to wash their produce before consuming to prevent being infected with hepatitis A.
The most common way to contract the virus in Canada is by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water, or from travelling outside of the country to areas where it's more prevalent.
Dr. David Torr, Medical Health Officer for the Saskatchewan Health Authority, said there have been recent cases reported across the province.
"We have in the last few months had sporadic cases here and there," he said. "When we get cases like that, we do extensive testing, which includes sending samples to the National Medical Laboratory in Winnipeg, so that you know exactly what type of hepatitis A it is. What we found is some cases of the hepatitis A that we've had in the province of recent also match with some cases in other provinces, which means that that is not a travel issue, that's a supply issue of something that must have been contaminated."
Cooking contaminated foods kills the virus, so things that are going to be eaten raw like vegetables and fruits (even if purchased frozen), should be cleaned thoroughly.
Hepatitis A is an uncommonly diagnosed infection in Canada; according to Public Health, between 2011 and 2015 an annual average of 236 cases were reported through the Notifiable Disease Surveillance System.
The best ways to prevent hepatitis A is to get vaccinated, practice good hand hygiene, refrain from sharing needles or syringes, and take extra precautions with food and water when travelling.
Thu, Jun 27, 1:30 PM
