Indicator Profile of Waterborne Illness - Giardia Infections
Why Is This Important?
Giardiasis is a gastrointestinal infection caused by the waterborne parasite Giardia lamblia. Giardia lamblia is the most common intestinal parasite identified by public health laboratories in the U.S. Giardiasis affects all age groups in humans, and may affect domestic and wild mammals. Predominant symptoms usually occur 1-4 weeks after ingestion of the parasite. Symptoms include diarrhea with loose and pale greasy stools, gas or flatulence, stomach cramps, bloating, weight loss, and fatigue. Fever and vomiting are rare. Some infected people with giardisis are asymptomatic (without symptoms). Illness is due to ingestion of fecal contaminated material, which may include untreated water, unwashed fruits and vegetables, or contaminated objects that are then placed in the mouth. Person-to-person transmission has been documented in settings such as childcare centers and institutions for people with developmental disabilities.Number of Reported Giardia Infections per 100,000 Population by Year, Utah and U.S., 1992-2007
Data Notes
The U.S. rates are derived from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports. The Utah rates are derived from Utah annual surveillance reports. Both U.S. and Utah 2007 rates are preliminary and subject to change.Data Sources
Utah Department of Health, Bureau of Epidemiology; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC);Definition
Giardiasis is a gastrointestinal infection caused by the waterborne parasite Giardia lamblia.How We Calculated the Rates
| Numerator: | Number of Giardia infections reported to the Bureau of Epidemiology. |
| Denominator: | Total Utah population. |
Page Content Updated On 06/13/08,
Published on 06/13/08
