Cyclospora outbreak in Canada possibly linked to imported produce

The federalgovernment is advising Canadians to check where their produce comesfrom after an outbreak of cyclosporawas reported infour provinces.

The Public Health Agency of Canada said 51 cases of the intestinal illnesscyclosporiasiswererecorded inQuebec, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia between May and Julythis year.

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The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said it is still looking into a food source linked tothe outbreak.

ThePublic Health Agencyadvises anyone who believes they are ill to stay hydrated and contact a health-care provider.

The health agency added that previous outbreaks in Canada and the U.S. have been linked to produce like pre-packaged salad mix, basil, cilantro, raspberries, blackberries, mesclun lettuce and snow and snap peas

Most people who contract the illness recover fully, but it may take up to seven weeks before their symptoms disappear, according to health officials.

What iscyclospora?

According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, cyclospora is a parasite that causes aninfectionaffecting the small intestines and which can lead to "watery diarrhea, with frequent, sometimes explosive, bowel movements."

The parasite is spread by people ingesting food contaminated with feces, which public health officials call poor toileting practices farm workers defecating in fields, or not washing their hands after a bowel movement, for example.

While some bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses can be transported via produce, eggs and meat, cyclospora are only known to be transmitted on produce.

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Symptoms includewatery diarrhea, abdominal bloating and gas, fatigue, stomach cramps, loss of appetite, weight loss, mild fever and nausea.

Itis hard to preventcyclosporiasis,since washing contaminated produce does not get rid of the parasite,according to health officials.

As a result, the government recommends cooking produce from countries wherecyclosporais found.According to thehealth agency, the parasite is common intropical and subtropical countriesincluding Peru, Cuba, India, Nepal, Mexico, Guatemala and Dominican Republic, as well as inSoutheast Asia.

It sayscyclosporais not commonly found on produce fromCanada, the United Statesand European countries.