The bug 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.
The federal government is advising Canadians to check where their produce comes from after an outbreak of cyclospora was reported in four provinces.
The Public Health Agency of Canada said 51 cases of the intestinal illness cyclosporiasis were recorded in Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia between May and July this year.
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
Symptoms include watery diarrhea, abdominal bloating and gas, fatigue, stomach cramps, loss of appetite, weight loss, mild fever and nausea. Cyclospora is a parasite that causes an infection affecting the small intestines and which can lead to "watery diarrhea, with frequent, sometimes explosive, bowel movements."
Cyclospora outbreak in Canada possibly linked to imported produce - Montreal - CBC News
The federal government is advising Canadians to check where their produce comes from after an outbreak of cyclospora was reported in four provinces.
The Public Health Agency of Canada said 51 cases of the intestinal illness cyclosporiasis were recorded in Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia between May and July this year.
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
Symptoms include watery diarrhea, abdominal bloating and gas, fatigue, stomach cramps, loss of appetite, weight loss, mild fever and nausea. Cyclospora is a parasite that causes an infection affecting the small intestines and which can lead to "watery diarrhea, with frequent, sometimes explosive, bowel movements."
Cyclospora outbreak in Canada possibly linked to imported produce - Montreal - CBC News