State, feds, probe hepatitis A outbreak

State, feds, probe hepatitis A outbreak

The New Mexico Department of Health, along with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration, are investigating a multistate outbreak of hepatitis A associated with Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend frozen berries sold by Costco.

As of Friday, 30 human cases had been reported across five states. New Mexico has confirmed two cases. The berries have been removed from Costco stores.

“It is important that all New Mexicans who have purchased this product remove it from their homes and discard it in their trash,” Health Secretary Retta Ward said in a news release Friday. “If you have consumed this specific product in the last 14 days you should contact your health care provider about getting hepatitis A vaccine to prevent illness.”

The New Mexico Department of Health is holding a vaccination clinic Saturday in Albuquerque. The clinic is at the Mid-town Public Health Office, located at 2400 Wellesley Drive NE, and will be operating from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. People who have consumed the product can come to the clinic for evaluation and vaccination.

Hepatitis A is a viral illness that attacks the liver. Symptoms commonly include mild fever, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, pain in the upper right side of the abdomen, dark urine and jaundice.

Power pole damaged in hit-and-run

Crews worked Friday to fix a power pole at West Alameda Street and Plaza del Oro after it was damaged by a hit-and-run driver.

According to police spokeswoman Celina Westervelt, a Penske truck struck the pole and then drove off.

Santa Fe police had West Alameda Street blocked at St. Francis Drive from about 12:30 until 1:10 p.m.

A Public Service Company of New Mexico spokesperson said there were no outages caused by the damaged pole, and that crews were still assessing and repairing it.

SFPS looking for name for new school

Santa Fe Public Schools is seeking a name for its new south-side elementary school on Herrera Drive.

Groundbreaking for the school should take place by the end of June. The board will create a facility-naming committee to consider all the names and urges nominators to consider naming the school after a deceased person who has made a significant contribution to education in Santa Fe or in New Mexico.

Lottery official warns of telephone scam

The New Mexico Lottery is warning the public to be on guard against a telephone scam.

Lottery CEO Tom Romero said in a news release that individuals misrepresenting themselves as “being from a lottery or the New Mexico Lottery” are calling people and telling them they have won a prize, which they can only claim after paying a processing fee.

“If someone tells you have to pay a fee to claim a lottery prize, the prize does not exist,” Romero said.

Recipients of such calls should hang up and report the incident to the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office at 800-678-1508 or the New Mexico Lottery Security Enforcement Division at 505-342-7650, he said.

Rail Runner and Cliff’s partner up for summer discounts

Beginning Saturday, Rail Runner Express riders can use their train ticket to get a $6 discount on Cliff’s Amusement Park ride passes. The promotion will last until Aug. 31.

“Like the Rail Runner, Cliff’s offers patrons a fun way for the whole family to experience something unique to New Mexico,” said Linda Hays, vice president of Cliff’s Amusement Park, in a news release. “We’re pleased to be able to partner with the Rail Runner together for this promotion, and we hope a lot of riders take advantage of the discount.”