U.S. parasite outbreak hasn’t reached Nunavut: territorial government

Fewer than five cases of a diarrhea-causing parasite have been identified in Nunavut, and none is believed to be related to an outbreak of the intestinal illness in the U.S, according to the Government of Nunavut’s Department of Health.

Fewer than five cases of a diarrhea-causing parasite have been identified in Nunavut, and none is believed to be related to an outbreak of the intestinal illness in the U.S, according to the Government of Nunavut’s Department of Health. There are typically five cases of cyclosporiasis in Nunavut every year, the department said. “At this time, there is no evidence to suggest that the case identified in Nunavut is linked to any ongoing foodborne outbreak or to imported fruits or vegetables from the United States,” according to the department.

Thousands of Americans have been diagnosed with cyclosporiasis, mostly in Michigan and Ohio. The parasite spreads through contaminated food and water. Nunavummiut should wash fresh vegetables before eating, the department said.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) does routine testing for the parasite every year. “To date, CFIA has not identified cyclospora related to the current U.S. outbreak in imported food or in food grown in Canada,” the federal agency said. In the past, raspberries, blackberries, whole and cut leafy vegetables, such as lettuce and salad mixes, and fresh leafy herbs, including cilantro and basil, have been found to carry the parasite, the agency said.