About the FEPN
Foodborne and waterborne illnesses associated with parasitic infections in Canada have been receiving more attention in recent years. The occurrence of parasites is associated with a range of underlying factors. While some outbreaks and cases can be attributed to human sources or activities (e.g., contamination of foods from infected food handlers, or contamination of water with sewage), others are the result of zoonotic transmission where the parasite is transmitted from animals to humans (e.g., infected meat animals and fish, agricultural run-off, companion animals).
In Canada, gastrointestinal parasites have become increasingly important in the differential diagnosis of enteric illness. Some tissue parasites are also of concern in Canada. Rapid and marked changes in human social ecology (migrant workers, immigration, travel to developing countries), modified landscapes (climate change, agricultural intensification) and food production practices are also giving rise to new and emerging foodborne, waterborne, and environmental parasites within the Canadian context. Some of our members are also interested in ectoparasites such as ticks and mites. Further research is necessary to improve our knowledge and understanding of parasites that can impact public health.
In 2009, the Bureau of Microbial Hazards at Health Canada established a network of Canadian researchers, regulators, and public health officials with an active involvement in issues related to food and environmental parasitology. The Food and Environmental Parasitology Network (FEPN) is the first formal network addressing these issues in Canada, and brings together experts in this important and emerging field. The FEPN is chaired by Dr. Brent Dixon of Health Canada and co-chaired by Dr. Momar Ndao of McGill University. The Network currently has over 70 members from across Canada representing federal and provincial government, academia, and industry.
Scope.
The scope of the FEPN includes foodborne, waterborne, and zoonotic parasites of public health concern in Canada. A number of our members focus on the study of protozoan (single-celled) parasites: Cyclospora, Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and Toxoplasma. Others focus on the study of helminth parasites (parasitic worms), which can be divided into roundworms, such as: Trichinella and Anisakis, and the tapeworms (e.g. Taenia, Echinococcus and Diphyllobothrium). We also have members with an interest in ectoparasites. For more information on FEPN members’ research interests, please consult the detailed member profiles.
Our Network focuses on issues such as contaminated foods and infected food animals (e.g. imported produce, raw meats, fish and shellfish, and country foods), potable and non-potable water, susceptible indigenous northern and aboriginal populations' issues, zoonotic transmission (e.g. livestock, wildlife, fisheries and aquaculture, companion animals), and epidemiology, specifically in Canada.
Our Objectives.
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to identify and communicate risks and research / surveillance gaps relevant to the fields of food and environmental parasitology;
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to facilitate discussion, collaborative research, and development of grant applications amongst members and external researchers;
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to develop and validate standardized methods for the isolation, detection, characterization and control of foodborne and environmental parasites;
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to develop and validate methods for the surveillance and investigation of parasitic infection in humans;
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to generate data for risk assessment and policy development; and
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to provide expert advice and testing in support of outbreak investigations and surveillance studies.