Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) Commissioner Manisha Juthani, M.D. issued a statement Friday urging Connecticut residents to be aware of a hepatitis A outbreak investigation in New York state.

"Connecticut has a proud shellfish harvesting tradition, and our state works hard every day to protect the safety of that industry and residents who enjoy it." Juthani stated." The Department of Public Health, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), and the Connecticut Department of Agriculture (DoAg) maintain a robust, year-round statewide shellfish safety and sanitation program," said Juthani.

The investigation is linked to contaminated shellfish, and residents are advised to take common-sense precautions when consuming raw or undercooked shellfish.

The investigation has been linked to fresh-frozen blood clams, also known as concha negra, imported from Ecuador and distributed within New York state.

The public health team is working to ensure the product is not sold to consumers at Connecticut establishments.

The Health Department says there is currently no confirmed link between this outbreak and Connecticut-harvested shellfish.