At least 92 people in Canada have been sickened by food contaminated with Cyclospora. Health officials do not know the food source of the outbreak, which began in May, but are continuing to investigate.
Most of the illnesses, 82, have been reported from Ontario. In British Columbia there are four cases, in Quebec, five; and one in Alberta. Two people have been hospitalized.
Cyclospora is a parasite usually associated with travel to developing countries with tropical climates. But in recent years, it has travelled to the U.S. and Canada in various kinds of produce including salad greens and cilantro.
Cyclosporiasis, the infection caused by the Cyclospora parasite, causes profuse diarrhea that can last two months or more. Other symptoms, which can also last more than 60 days if untreated, include abdominal cramps, bloating, gas, nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, vomiting, body aches, low-grade fever, and other flu-like symptoms.
In the U.S., at least 495 people in 30 states have been sickened by Cyclospora since May. Cilantro imported from Mexico has been identified as the source of illness clusters in Texas and Wisconsin. Investigations are ongoing to determine the source in the remaining 28 states.
