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Some Kashechewan First Nation residents test positive for parasite amid evacuation
Infrastructure damage caused sewage contamination linked to parasites in water; about 400 residents remain at home during ongoing health investigations, officials said.
- Jan. 22, 2026, Kashechewan First Nation officials said at least 28 people tested positive for cryptosporidium, with two also infected by dientamoeba fragilis.
- On Jan. 4, Kashechewan Chief Hosea Wesley declared a state of emergency after defective pumps failed the water plant, forcing around 1,900 evacuees and about 400 residents in the 2,200-member community to stay home.
- Health officials noted that cryptosporidium causes symptoms like diarrhea and stomach pain, usually resolving with rest but sometimes needing antimicrobial treatment, and water samples were sent to a laboratory in Durham region with results possibly by Jan. 30.
- Indigenous Services Canada reported that repairs to the water treatment plant are complete and operational, but Kashechewan residents are still advised not to drink the water while health officials investigate the unknown contamination source.
- The remote, fly-in nature of Kashechewan complicates response and evacuation efforts, as Moon Time Connections plans to supply menstrual products to evacuees and has delivered more than 11 million since 2017.
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The Hamilton SpectatorReposted by 
National Observer
National ObserverIllness breaks out in beleaguered Ontario First Nation
Health tests at Kashechewan First Nation, which is already in a state of emergency due to water contamination, show a widespread outbreak of a water-borne illness.
·Hamilton, Canada
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Evacuation of community members continues.
·Montreal, Canada
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Winnipeg Free Press+23 Reposted by 23 other sources
Some Kashechewan First Nation residents test positive for parasite amid evacuation
Breaking News, Sports, Manitoba, Canada
·Winnipeg, Canada
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Some Kashechewan First Nation residents test positive for parasite amid evacuation – 105.9 The Region
Officials in a northern Ontario First Nation that was largely evacuated after the failure of its water system say at least 28 people from the community have tested positive for a parasite that causes gastrointestinal illness. They say testing showed that 28 people from Kashechewan First Nation have cryptosporidium and two of them also have another parasite called dientamoeba fragilis. The exact cause of the infections is under investigation but …
Coverage Details
Total News Sources29
Leaning Left25Leaning Right0Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution93% Left
Bias Distribution
- 93% of the sources lean Left
93% Left
L 93%
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