VANCOUVER

Cyclospora outbreak that's sickened 51 people hits B.C.

The Canadian Press Published Friday, August 12, 2016 8:09AM PDT Last Updated Friday, August 12, 2016 8:11AM PDT

Cyclospora outbreak may be linked to lettuce

A photomicrograph of a fresh stool sample, which had been prepared using a 10% formalin solution, and stained with modified acid-fast stain, reveals the presence of four Cyclospora cayetanensis oocysts in the field of view. (Center for Disease Control and Prevention)

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One case of Cyclospora has been identified in B.C. and two in Alberta as the Public Health Agency of Canada tracks an outbreak that has now spread across four provinces and sickened 51 people since May.

A source of the outbreak has not been identified, but public health officials and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency are eyeing imported fresh produce, possibly from Mexico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Peru, India or Southeast Asia.

The Cyclospora parasite is common in those countries and previous outbreaks have been linked to imported fresh produce, such as pre-packaged salad mix, basil, cilantro, raspberries, blackberries, mesclun lettuce and snow and snap peas.

The parasite causes an intestinal illness called cyclosporiasis that has symptoms ranging from mild to severe and can include everything from diarrhea and abdominal bloating to mild fever, nausea and weight loss.