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Amebiasis

Amebiasis is a disease caused by the parasite Entamoeba histolytica.  Many people with amebiasis do not have any symptoms. The most common symptoms are abdominal cramps and loose stools.  More severe cases may experience fever, chills and/or diarrhea with blood or mucous.  Amebiasis is spread by consuming contaminated food or water, or touching contaminated surfaces.  It can also spread sexually through oral-anal contact.  For more information, see the Health Unit's fact sheets page on amebiasis.

The following graph shows the number of amebiasis cases in Simcoe Muskoka between 2000 and 2010. There are many factors that influence how many cases are reported to the Health Unit, as explained on the Infectious Diseases page.  There have been between 2 and 11 cases of amebiasis in Simcoe Muskoka every year since 2000. 

Provincial definitions classify cases as confirmed, probable or suspect based on clinical and/or laboratory diagnostic criteria.  The provincial case definition for amebiasis changed in April 2009 to include a definition for probable cases whereas before there was no such classification.  The definitions of confirmed and probable cases from 2009 onwards are comparable to confirmed cases before 2009.

The following graph shows the incidence rate of amebiasis in Simcoe Muskoka and Ontario between 2000 and 2010. The incidence rate in Simcoe Muskoka is lower than the Ontario rate. Both of these rates have remained relatively stable over this time period.