Presumed outbreak of E.coli and amoebiasis at Calgary-area food facility

Winnipeg Free Press

26-07-2025

CALGARY – Two people have been hospitalized and more than 200 have shown symptoms after a gastrointestinal outbreak at a Calgary-area food facility.
Alberta Health Services says the outbreak at Saskatoon Farm in Foothills County is presumed to be E. coli and an intestinal illness called amoebiasis.
Saskatoon Farm's food service facilities were ordered closed on Wednesday until deemed safe again, while the rest of the business remains open.
Alberta Health Services says there have been 18 lab-confirmed cases of E. coli, three of which also tested positive for amoebiasis.
It says 235 people have shown symptoms connected to the outbreak and there have been two recent hospitalizations, though one of them has since been discharged.
The agency says it's believed the facility's water system is the source of the outbreak and Saskatoon Farm has switched to a different water source that has been confirmed safe.
Anyone who consumed food, beverages or water there between July 1 and 16 is being asked to monitor for gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or abdominal pain.
Officials say the type of E. coli identified in the outbreak is not normally found in treated drinking water, adding that it is not toxin-producing and generally goes away without treatment.
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They say amoebiasis may not result in immediate symptoms but can lead to gastrointestinal illness and, in rarer cases, severe infection of the liver, lungs, heart and brain.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 25, 2025.