Canadian health officials monitoring parasite outbreak in the U.S., urge travelers to take precautions

CTV’s Alexandra Holyk takes a look at an illness sweeping across the U.S. and what it means for Canadian consumers.

Some healthy staples found in many kitchens are believed to be carrying a problematic parasite in the United States.

Known as “Cyclospora,” the parasite has become a major headache for healthcare providers, with thousands of suspected cases reported across more than 30 states since May 1.

So far, more than 7,000 cases of cyclosporiasis have been reported, with outbreaks in Michigan, Ohio, New York and Virginia.

The parasite commonly latches onto fresh produce through irrigation water that has been contaminated with human feces. It’s usually found in subtropical regions like South America, Asia, the Caribbean, and Africa. While thoroughly washing fresh produce seems like a standard procedure, it won’t remove the parasite from the infected plant.

Common culprits include lettuce, cilantro, basil, green onions, raspberries, and snow peas.

“Particularly those that have non-smooth surfaces,” said Lawrence Goodridge, a food safety professor at the University of Guelph. “Things with nooks and crannies.”

Cyclosporiasis isn’t deadly and the symptoms are similar to other foodborne illnesses. However, they can appear within a couple of days and last up to a month or longer.

“Mostly people complain about fairly severe, sometimes explosive diarrhea,” said Dr. Nicola Mercer, the medical officer of health for Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health. “And that can make people very ill.”

In Canada, it’s not uncommon to see a handful of cyclosporiasis cases every year. While health officials are closely monitoring the situation both north and south of the border, they’re also urging travelers to stay safe.

“If you’re going into the U.S. right now, avoid uncooked fruit and vegetables,” Mercer said.

“Choose fresh fruits that have smooth surfaces,” Goodridge added. “Things like grapes or perhaps rinds that could be peeled.”

While outbreaks continue in the U.S., Canadian health officials said this could also serve as a reason to buy locally-grown fruits and vegetables to prevent the chance of picking up the parasite from imported produce.