One local case of a rare intestinal illness has been linked to a national outbreak.
Over the weekend, the Public Health Agency of Canada announced that 83 cases of Cyclospora are under investigation across the country.
While no deaths have been reported due to the outbreak, two people have been hospitalized.
Brenda Miller, the manager of health protection and investigation at Region of Waterloo Public Health, says seven cases of the parasitic illness have been reported locally, with one confirmed as being linked to the outbreak.
Common symptoms of Cyclospora include diarrhea, intestinal discomfort and abdominal pain.
In some cases, those symptoms can expand to include nausea, weight loss or fatigue.
Anyone suffering from those symptoms should contact their family doctor for a stool test, Miller said.
The parasite is considered low-risk and can typically be cured with antibiotics.
Health officials have yet to determine the cause of the outbreak, which dates back to May 9.
Past outbreaks of Cyclospora have been linked to imported fruit and vegetable products, including basil, snow peas and cilantro.
“People can get (it) by consuming food or water that has been contaminated with the parasite,” Miller said in an interview.
Properly washing and storing produce may help combat the parasite.
