Hepatitis A Outbreak Confirmed In MA, 3 Other States

A Hepatitis A outbreak has been confirmed in Massachusetts and three other states, the CDC announced.

The outbreak has sickened at least 3 people. The sickness has reportedly originated from tainted frozen clams.

Other states impacted include Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and New York.

"The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely higher than the number reported, and this outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses," the CDC said. "This is because some people may recover without medical care and are not tested for hepatitis A virus."

It can also take weeks to connect a case of the virus to a specific outbreak.

Investigators say that 77 percent of people interviewed had recently eaten ceviche, a dish including raw clams, and 47 percent reported eating raw clams.

In April, sellers recalled one brand, La Serranita-brand concha negra, a black shell clam meat.

Symptoms of Hepatitis A include diarrhea, dark urine or clay colored stool, exhaustion, fever, joint pain, nausea, and jaundice. Severe disease like liver failure is also possible.

People who believe they have been exposed to the illness are encouraged to contact their local health departments.