RICHMOND, VA. -- Virginia health officials say there are now 40 confirmed cases of Hepatitis A that came from multiple Tropical Smoothie Cafe locations.
There are more than 500 franchised locations of the smoothie company across the country, including a few in Southwest Florida.
According to WTVR in Richmond, Virginia, initial reports identified a possible link between frozen strawberries from Egypt that were used at Tropical Smoothie Cafés between August 5 and August 8. However updates now indicate the exposure could go back to May.
Officials add Virginia is not the only state affected. They say more cases could emerge, since some symptoms take as many as 50 days to show.
Hepatitis A affects the liver.
No cases have been found in Florida.