Increase In Gastrointestinal Illness Prompts BCCDC To Remind People To Wash Produce

Island Health and the BC Centre for Disease Control are reminding residents to wash fruits and vegetables.

The CDC says there have been at least 43 cases of Cyclospora infections so far this year, a gastrointestinal illness that shows all the regular symptoms, including cramping and sometimes a fever.

Young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness.

The province says in BC, most cases are related to travel.

The parasite is most commonly found in tropical and subtropical areas, but each spring and summer, Canada sees an increase in non-travel related Cyclospora illnesses.

Infection can occur due to eating contaminated, imported raw produce, especially leafy greens, as well as broccoli, carrots and cucumbers, fresh herbs, and berries.

Locally grown produce is not known to carry Cyclospora.

As of July 31, a total of 43 cases have been reported to BCCDC and at least nine of those cases have been locally acquired, i.e. meaning the sick person did not travel outside of Canada and the United States.

The previous highest case count was in 2017 during an outbreak when 41 cases had been reported by this time of year.

For more information, visit BCCDC.