Question

EXOTIC PARASITE SICKENS CANADIAN BUSINESSMEN Public health officials today confirmed that three Canadian business men, two from Toronto and one from Ottawa, were diagnosed cyclosporiasis, a parasitic disease seen only in tropical countries and overseas travelers. The three men, who had recently traveled to the United States, became seriously il with diarrhea over the weekend (May 16-18). One of the men was hospitalized at Princess Margaret Hospital when he collapsed due to severe dehydration. Dr. Richard Schabas, Ontario's Chief Medical officer, reported that cyclospotiasis was exceedingly rare in North America and that much was still unknown about this disease. Cyclosporiasis is caused by the microorganism Cyclospora çayetanensis. Cyclospora infects the small bowel and usually causes watery diarrhea, with frequent, sometimes explosive, bowel movements. Symptoms can include bloating. increased gas, stomach cramps, nausea, loss of appetite, and profound weight loss. The illness is diagnosed by examining stool specimens in the laboratory. Dr. Schabas declined to identify a source of infection for the three businessmen but indicated that the parasite is transmitted through contaminated food or water but not by direct person-to-person spread The time between exposure to the parasite and becoming sick is usually about 7 days. Dr. Schabas reported that all three men had attended a meeting in Texas on May 9-10. He said Ontario Health Department staff would be investigating leads locally and in Texas. Submit a text submission of answers to these questions, based on the case report above 1) What is the incubation period for cyclosporiasis? 2) How will it be used in the investigation? 3) On what sources of infection should public health officials focus for the three cases of cyclosporiasis? it possible that one of the men was the source of infection for the others? E I 5) Do you think that it is likely that the businessmen became infected with cyclosporiasis in Texas?

Answer 1

1. Cyclosporiasis have an incubation period of 7 days.

2. The three men infected had attended a meeting in Texas together. Ontario Health Department staff will investigate it locally and in Texas.

3. The main sources of infection to be focused are food and water.

4. No. Dr Schabas has cleared it out that infection did not spread through direct person to person contact. The mode of infection is food or water.

5. Yes, it is likely that the three men caught the infection in Texas. We can say so as the three of them attended a meeting together in Texas and then fall ill. It is very much possible thst the three of them ate or drank same infected food or water