Canada reports cyclosporiasis cases as U.S. outbreak grows

Health officials across Canada say cyclosporiasis cases are being reported this year, but they have not identified links to the large outbreak in the United States. Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by a parasite spread through contaminated food or water. Symptoms can include watery diarrhea, bloating, gas and loss of appetite. In Quebec, health officials said 107 cases had been identified by July 11, up from 30 during the same period last year. Most were linked to travel, mainly to Mexico, and fewer than five involved travel to the United States. British Columbia has reported 93 cases so far this year, with officials saying the numbers are within the province’s usual seasonal pattern and are mostly travelrelated. Alberta has confirmed six cases, several of them in recent weeks, and investigators there said no common food source or U.S. link has been found. Other provinces and territories have reported few or no cases, while Nunavut said its five labconfirmed cases are not tied to any ongoing foodborne outbreak. Public health officials in Canada said no domestic outbreak is being investigated, though they noted that spring and summer increases are often associated with imported produce. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said it is not considering restrictions on fresh produce imports from the U.S.