Clinical and public-health content checked: August 7, 2026

Current situation in Québec

Cyclosporiasis cases usually rise in Québec between May and August. According to the Québec government’s update of July 30, 2026, the number of cases reported since the investigation began on May 1 was higher than during the same period the previous year.

In Québec’s 2026 season, infections were acquired mainly during travel—especially to Mexico—or by eating contaminated fresh fruit, vegetables, or herbs imported from countries where the parasite is more common. Public-health authorities are investigating whether cases share a common source. As of the July 30 update, no Québec cases were believed to be linked to the concurrent outbreak in the United States.

This does not mean that every imported fruit, vegetable, or herb is unsafe, and the Québec update did not identify a specific product for everyone to avoid. Follow official food-recall notices for any product-specific advice.

What is cyclosporiasis?

Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal infection caused by a microscopic parasite called Cyclospora. People become infected by swallowing food or water contaminated with the parasite.

Direct spread from one person to another is unlikely. After leaving the body in stool, the parasite usually needs 7 to 15 days in the environment before it becomes infectious. A previous infection does not provide lasting protection, so a person can become infected again.

What are the symptoms?

Some people have no symptoms. When symptoms occur, they usually begin about one week after exposure, but the delay can range from 2 to 14 days. Symptoms may include:

• frequent or profuse watery diarrhea
• abdominal cramps or pain
• bloating and gas
• nausea and sometimes vomiting
• loss of appetite and weight loss
• marked fatigue
• mild fever

Without treatment, symptoms can last for several weeks or even months. They may improve for a few days and then return.

Who is at greater risk?

The chance of infection is higher for people who travel to tropical or subtropical regions and consume untreated water or raw local produce. Young children, older adults, and people with a weakened immune system may develop a longer or more severe illness.

When should you seek medical advice?

Contact Bina Medical Clinic or call Info-Santé 811 if you develop persistent watery diarrhea, particularly if you:

• recently travelled, especially to Mexico or another tropical or subtropical region
• ate raw imported fruit, vegetables, leafy greens, or fresh herbs
• are a young child, an older adult, pregnant, immunocompromised, or living with a significant chronic illness
• are unable to maintain normal hydration

Seek same-day medical advice if diarrhea continues beyond 48 hours despite rehydration, if fever with diarrhea lasts more than 48 hours, or if diarrhea lasts longer than one week.

Go to an emergency department for severe dehydration or deterioration, including extreme thirst with no urination for 12 hours, inability to keep fluids down, confusion, severe abdominal pain, a large amount of blood in the stool, or black stool.

How is it diagnosed?

Diagnosis usually requires a stool test that looks for Cyclospora. Because the parasite may not be present in every sample, several stool specimens collected on different days may be needed. Tell your healthcare professional about recent travel and the foods you ate; this information can help guide testing and support the public-health investigation.

How is it treated?

The first-line prescription treatment in Canada is trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX). Symptoms often begin to improve within 2 to 3 days after treatment starts, although intestinal symptoms can take longer to resolve.

Drink water or an oral rehydration solution to replace lost fluids and mineral salts. Do not start or use leftover antibiotics on your own. People with a sulfa allergy, a weakened immune system, pregnancy, or no improvement after treatment need individualized medical advice.

How can you reduce your risk?

When you are in Québec:

• Rinse fruit and vegetables under running water before eating, cutting, peeling, or cooking them.
• Remember that washing produce lowers many food-safety risks but may not completely remove Cyclospora.
• When practical, choose fresh produce grown in Québec or elsewhere in Canada during the seasonal rise in cases.
• Consider cooking produce imported from places where Cyclospora is common.
• Wash your hands and follow safe food-handling practices.
• Check official Québec and Canadian food-recall notices. Do not eat, serve, or sell a product included in a recall.

When travelling in a higher-risk region:

• drink water from a safe source, such as sealed bottled water
• choose thoroughly cooked food served hot
• eat fruit that you peel yourself
• avoid raw foods that may have been washed with local untreated water

Public-health follow-up in Québec and Canada

Cyclosporiasis is a reportable disease in Québec and throughout Canada. Healthcare professionals and laboratories report confirmed cases to public-health authorities. If you are contacted after a diagnosis, providing accurate travel and food-history information can help identify a common source and prevent additional illness.

Talk with us

If you have prolonged watery diarrhea or are concerned about a recent exposure, contact Bina Medical Clinic. Please mention any recent travel and the fresh foods or herbs you ate during the two weeks before your symptoms began.

Official sources

• Gouvernement du Québec — Cyclosporiasis
• Public Health Agency of Canada — Cyclosporiasis (Cyclospora)
• Public Health Agency of Canada — Cyclosporiasis surveillance
• Recalls and safety alerts — Government of Canada

This information is for education only and does not replace individualized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Public-health information can change as an investigation progresses.