Connecticut DPH Warns of Hepatitis A Risk in Imported Blood Clams; Some Product Reached Connecticut Retailers

Connecticut Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Manisha Juthani issued a public advisory Thursday warning state residents about an active hepatitis A outbreak under investigation in New York state, linked to fresh-frozen blood clams imported from Ecuador.

The advisory, issued May 15, confirms that "a limited number of Connecticut retailers received this same product." State officials did not publicly identify which retailers received the shellfish but said state and local health teams are working to ensure the product does not reach consumers.

"Our teams are working with local health officials to ensure that the product is not served to consumers at Connecticut establishments," Juthani said in the advisory.

The investigation is being conducted by the New York State Department of Health and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The product at the center of the investigation is fresh-frozen blood clams, sold under the name "concha negra," imported from Ecuador and distributed within New York state.

What Hepatitis A Symptoms Look Like

Hepatitis A is a contagious liver infection transmitted by consuming contaminated food or water. According to the DPH advisory, symptoms include fatigue, nausea, stomach pain, and jaundice, and can take 15 to 50 days to appear after exposure. Most people recover fully, but the illness can be serious for older adults and those with underlying health conditions.

Anyone who has consumed raw or undercooked shellfish — particularly blood clams — in recent weeks and is experiencing those symptoms is urged to contact a healthcare provider.

What the Advisory Asks Residents to Do

Juthani's advisory included five specific recommendations for Connecticut residents:

• Contact a healthcare provider promptly if you have consumed raw or undercooked shellfish in recent weeks and are experiencing symptoms.
• Ask restaurants where their shellfish is sourced.
• Consider avoiding raw shellfish if you are pregnant, elderly, immunocompromised, or have liver disease.
• Get vaccinated against hepatitis A. The vaccine is widely available.
• For food service operators, ensure all shellfish comes from licensed, certified dealers, and that proper cold chain and handling procedures are followed.

The Connecticut Shellfish Industry Is Separate From This Investigation

The advisory was specific that the contaminated product was imported, not Connecticut-harvested. Juthani emphasized that Connecticut's domestic shellfish industry operates under "a robust, year-round statewide shellfish safety and sanitation program" jointly managed by DPH, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, and the Department of Agriculture.

"There is currently no confirmed link between this outbreak and Connecticut-harvested shellfish," Juthani said. "We are issuing this advisory out of an abundance of caution and a commitment to keeping our residents informed."

The distinction matters in Milford, where commercial shellfish operations are an active part of the local economy. At a Zoning Board of Appeals meeting on May 12, oyster farmer Charles Vigens, who operates a business at 64 Rogers Avenue, spoke as a local stakeholder on a separate marina application. Local shellfish operations are subject to the same Connecticut safety program Juthani referenced in the advisory.

What Milford Residents Should Watch For

The Milford Times has contacted the Milford Health Department to ask whether any Milford retailers or restaurants received the affected product, and what local enforcement steps are being taken. This article will be updated as additional information becomes available.

In the meantime, residents who have purchased imported frozen blood clams, particularly any sold under the "concha negra" label, are advised to check the country of origin and consult the DPH advisory before consuming. The product at issue in the investigation was imported from Ecuador.

Residents with questions about the advisory can contact DPH at the media contact listed in Thursday's release: Brittany Schaefer, Brittany.Schaefer@ct.gov.

The full advisory is available on the Connecticut Department of Public Health website at portal.ct.gov/dph.