Quebec reporting a rise in diarrhea-causing parasite cases
Quebec health authorities report an increase in cases of the parasite cyclospora, though they emphasize there is no link to a larger outbreak currently affecting Michigan. Most cases in the province are attributed to travel, primarily to Mexico.
Why it matters
Monitoring parasitic outbreaks is essential for food safety and public health, especially when distinguishing between localized travel-related cases and widespread foodborne contamination.
Quebec is experiencing an uptick in the number of cases of a parasite causing watery and sometimes explosive diarrhea, but health authorities say there is no apparent link to an ongoing outbreak in Michigan affecting thousands.
“An excess of cyclosporiasis cases is being observed in Quebec in 2026,” the province’s Health Ministry said in a statement Tuesday.
Since the beginning of 2026, 85 cases have been reported across the province — an increase from 30 cases for the year-earlier period. The ministry recorded an annual average of 32 cases for the same time frame between 2022 and 2025.
“However, the current situation is nowhere near the scale of the outbreak reported in the state of Michigan,” the ministry said.
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