You would think thousands of people infected with a parasite that causes chronic explosive diarrhea would be more of a news story. Admittedly, it is hard for any story to rise above the din of the 24-hour news cycle and enter public awareness. But even though there are no reported cases of Cyclospora infections in Canada, this outbreak has some valuable lessons to teach us about food safety.

The parasite in question, Cyclospora catayenensis, is typically found in Latin America, Southeast Asia and parts of Africa and lives in contaminated soil and water. Humans ingest the parasite eggs, the eggs hatch, the parasites reproduce inside your intestine, and new eggs are eventually shed in your stool and enter wastewater.

Poor sanitation in endemic areas contributes to parasite spread. Thus, the first lesson is the most obvious but most easily forgotten in public health: Basic infrastructure and sanitation measures are not just a convenience or a luxury — they help prevent disease.

But Cyclospora is a difficult parasite to deal with.........

© Montreal Gazette