Thursday, September 03, 2026
Public Health continues to monitor and protect Sudbury & Districts from the cyclosporiasis outbreak possibly linked to imported lettuce
Public Health Sudbury & Districts is continuing to closely monitor a large cyclosporiasis outbreak in the United States, possibly linked to lettuce imported from Mexico. A potentially-related outbreak in Quebec is also being monitored.
At this time, no increase in the number of infections in the Sudbury and districts area has been reported. So far in 2026, one cyclosporiasis infection has been identified, linked to international travel. This compares to three infections identified last year.
Public Health actively investigates every Cyclosporiasis illness to identify the source of infection so that it can be eliminated from affecting anyone else. Public Health monitors outbreaks around the world, including the current situation in the United States, and provides information to local health care providers to support awareness, testing, and early detection of suspected infections.
Cyclosporiasis infections occur in Canada every year and are usually linked to international travel. Currently, there is no indication of increased illness in our service area,” said Jonathan Groulx, a manager in Public Health’s Health Protection division. “We continue the work of Public Health to investigate possible infections and eliminate sources of infection to keep the residents of Sudbury and districts safe.
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by a microscopic parasite, Cyclospora cayetanensis. People with cyclosporiasis can pass the parasite in their stool. The parasite can contaminate fresh produce and water, and if provided a warm environment (22°C to 32°C) in which to multiply, days or weeks later, it can begin to infect other people. It does not spread directly from one person to another.
Symptoms do not appear right away. Most people develop symptoms approximately 7 days after eating or drinking contaminated food or water. Common symptoms of cyclosporiasis include diarrhea, loss of appetite, bloating, cramping, flatulence, nausea, tiredness, and fever.
Reduce your risk
- Wash your hands well with soap and water, especially after using the bathroom and before eating or preparing food.
- If you are travelling to areas where the risk of food-borne or other gastrointestinal illnesses is more common, drink water from a safe source (boiled or bottled) and eat thoroughly cooked foods and fruits that can be peeled.
- Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating them. This can reduce the exposure but does not eliminate the risk of cyclosporiasis.
- If you choose to reduce raw fresh fruit and vegetable consumption to avoid exposure to gastrointestinal illnesses, increase cooked fruit and vegetable consumption to ensure you still get enough vitamins and fibre.
- Stay home if you work in health care, child care, or food handling and have developed symptoms so as not to infect others. Follow the advice of your health care provider about when it is safe to return to work.
If you develop symptoms
Your health care provider might order stool tests or additional testing if they suspect you have cyclosporiasis. Treatment involves rehydration, and an antibiotic that can kill the parasite might also be prescribed.
Most people recover on their own, but symptoms can persist for weeks or months if left untreated. People who experience symptoms should get advice from a health care provider.
For more information about cyclosporiasis, please visit our website at phsd.ca or call Public Health Sudbury & Districts at 705.522.9200 (toll-free 1.866.522.9200).
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