In March 2026, Health Canada — Canada’s national health regulator — recalled certain Olympus endoscope parts after finding they are no longer compatible with some automated cleaning machines used to sterilize the scopes between patients. When a scope isn’t fully cleaned, bacteria can survive and be passed to the next person who undergoes a procedure with that same scope.
This is not the first time Olympus endoscopes have been linked to serious infection risks. The same problems have caused outbreaks in the United States, and the recall is another signal that cleaning and safety issues with these devices remain an ongoing concern.
The Background on Olympus Scope Problems
Olympus makes approximately 85% of all duodenoscopes — a type of flexible scope used for procedures like ERCP, which examines the bile duct. Between 2013 and 2024, contaminated Olympus scopes were linked to serious infections in hundreds of patients at hospitals across the United States. At least 35 people died.
In 2020, Olympus pleaded guilty to three federal charges related to failing to report serious infection outbreaks in Europe to the FDA. The company paid an $85 million penalty as part of that case.
The U.S. Senate’s health committee investigated duodenoscope outbreaks and documented at least 25 separate outbreaks of antibiotic-resistant infections that sickened more than 250 patients across the country.
The Health Canada recall of certain Olympus endoscope components in March 2026 — due to cleaning system incompatibility — is the latest chapter in this ongoing safety story.
What Procedures Are Affected
Olympus scopes are used in a wide range of common medical procedures, including:
- ERCP — a procedure to examine the bile duct and pancreatic duct
- Colonoscopy — used to screen for colon cancer and other conditions
- Upper endoscopy — used to look at the esophagus, stomach, and upper small intestine
- Bronchoscopy — used to examine the airways and lungs
Any of these procedures can put a patient in contact with a scope that may not have been properly cleaned — if the hospital uses the affected equipment and cleaning systems.
Signs Something May Have Gone Wrong
Many people who develop a scope-related infection don’t connect their symptoms to the procedure right away. The signs to watch for include:
- Fever or chills that started in the days after a scope procedure
- Severe abdominal pain following an ERCP or other digestive scope procedure
- Being told you have an antibiotic-resistant infection like CRE, MRSA, or a similar “superbug”
- A hospital stay related to infection following a routine scope procedure
- Sepsis (a serious, whole-body response to infection) following a scope procedure
If any of these situations apply to you, the type of scope used — and whether the hospital followed proper cleaning procedures — may be important to know.
Who May Qualify for a Case Review
- Had an endoscopic procedure (ERCP, colonoscopy, bronchoscopy, or upper endoscopy) at a hospital or outpatient surgery center
- Developed a serious infection or illness in the days or weeks following the procedure
- Particularly if the infection involved an antibiotic-resistant bacteria like CRE, MRSA, Pseudomonas, or similar
Every state sets a time limit on how long you have to pursue a case after being injured. If you developed an infection following a scope procedure — even years ago — it may be worth checking whether you still have time to file. It’s free to check.
Sources
- Health Canada. Recall notice for certain Olympus endoscope components. March 2026.
- Drugwatch. “Olympus Scope Lawsuit 2026: Infection, Sepsis & Injury Claims.” drugwatch.com.
- U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Report on duodenoscope-related outbreaks and antibiotic-resistant infections.
- U.S. Department of Justice. Olympus Corp. of America guilty plea and $85 million penalty. 2020.