In November 2023, the Public Health Agency of Canada initiated an investigation into a cluster of illnesses associated with the consumption of cantaloupe. It was the first outbreak of its kind in Canada, and would quickly become the most severe multi-jurisdictional enteric illness outbreak in the past 15 years. This seminar will include an overview of the collaborative outbreak investigation, the vulnerable populations impacted, and the actions taken to prevent illness.

Courtney R Smith is a Senior Epidemiologist at PHAC’s Outbreak Management Division. Courtney has worked in public health at the local, provincial, federal, and international levels, and has responded to over 80 outbreaks of various pathogens. In her current role, Courtney leads the response to multi-jurisdictional enteric disease outbreaks. Courtney also has special interests in supporting outbreak response efforts in First Nations communities and in international settings, including a recent mobilization to Kenya with the World Health Organization. Courtney holds a BSc and MPH (Epidemiology) from the University of Toronto, and is a graduate of the Canadian Field Epidemiology Program.