Going on a resort vacation? What to avoid to lower risk of food poisoning

After hundreds of Canadians fell ill at a Mexican resort, experts warn that contaminated food and water can lead to serious illnesses.

If you’re heading to an all-inclusive resort soon, the endless buffets and free-flowing drinks are undoubtedly a major perk. But experts warn that some of these tempting foods and beverages could hide harmful bacteria and parasites, putting you at risk of foodborne illness.

This warning comes after hundreds of Canadians recently fell ill at a Mexican resort, experiencing severe vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration. Although it is still unknown how the sickness started, Keither Warriner, a food safety professor at the University of Guelph, believes it may have been a parasite.

With the number of people that got sick and how long it lasted, he believes it could be due to the parasite Entamoeba histolytica, which is usually associated with poor sanitation and water-borne illnesses.

“If you’re in a susceptible host, especially the very young, it gives you this sort of dysentery type of disease, such as profuse diarrhea, and it can be life-threatening because of a dehydrating effect,” Warriner said.

“It’s not official that it is this parasite, but all the symptoms say it may be… the fact it’s long-term occurring, the sudden onset of symptoms, everyone’s suffering the same time… that would indicate this.”

He believes the water system may have been contaminated, potentially infecting guests eating freshly washed produce, brushing teeth, showering or even consuming an ice cube.

“These are the likely causes,” he said.

The most common illnesses among travellers are generally caused by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated by bacteria, parasites or viruses, according to Health Canada.