On May 12, 2010, Big Sisters of Sarnia Lambton hosted its annual Chef Challenge fundraising event held at Hiawatha Horse Park and Entertainment Centre

. Hiawatha provided the venue for the event but did not participate in the supply, preparation or serving of the food. The event consisted of 11 local restaurants catering and serving the food for the event.

Lori Lucas, interim supervisor from the County of Lambton Community Health Services Department, recognizes that Hiawatha Horse Park was not involved in any of the preparation or serving of the food that was consumed at the Big Sisters of Sarnia- Lambton Chef Challenge.

All Hiawatha Horse Park Food handlers have been food safety-trained and certified by the County of Lambton Community Health Services Department.

On May 30, Big Sisters and Hiawatha were made aware of guests in attendance who became ill eight to 10 days after the event. Upon notification by these guests, Big Sisters contacted the County of Lambton Health Services Department and in turn an investigation ensued. Big Sisters and Hiawatha are working closely with the health unit to determine the cause of the unfortunate incident. On June 2, 2010 laboratory confirmation of Cyclospora was determined as the cause of the symptoms guests were experiencing.

What is Cyclospora?

Cyclospora is a parasite composed of one cell, too small to be seen without a microscope. This parasite causes an intestinal infection called cyclosporiasis.

How is Cyclospora spread?

Cyclospora is spread by people ingesting something, such as food or water that was contaminated with feces (stool). Scientists think that food may become contaminated during cultivation, harvest, or packaging; in transportation through contact with infected food handlers, or through contaminated irrigation water. Cyclospora needs time (days or weeks) after being passed in a bowel movement to become infectious for another person. Therefore, it is unlikely that Cyclospora is passed directly from one person to another.

What are the symptoms of Cyclospora infection?

The time between becoming infected and becoming sick is usually about one week. Cyclospora infects the small intestine (bowel) and usually causes watery diarrhea, with frequent, sometimes explosive, bowel movements. Other common symptoms include loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps/pain, bloating, increased gas, nausea, and fatigue. Vomiting, body aches, headache, fever, and other flu-like symptoms may be noted. Some people who are infected with Cyclospora do not have any symptoms. If not treated, the illness may last from a few days to a month or longer. Symptoms may seem to go away and then return once or several times (relapse). It’s common to feel very tired.

Members of the public who became ill after attending Chef’s Challenge are advised to:

• Report the illness to the Community Health Services Department at 519 383-
8331 ext. 3575 or toll free 1-800-667-1839 (Ext. 3575).
• Contact their health care provider

Hiawatha Horse Park and Big Sisters of Sarnia Lambton continue to encourage anyone who attended the Big Sisters Chef Challenge and are experiencing symptoms to contact the Health Unit at 519-383-8331 (Ext. 3575) or toll free at 1-800-667-1839 (Ext. 3575), as well as their health care provider.

We will continue to work closely with Big Sisters and the County of Lambton Community.

To view a Big Sisters press release regarding the incident, click here.

(Hiawatha Horse Park)