Transmission of giardia

[Mary-Gates]

  Thw ater supply in our city is giardia infected after flooding.  We are boiling out drinking water.  Can giardia be transmitted in using this contaminated water supply to wash surfaces in the food preparation areas or by washing hands etc in contaminated water
Dear Mary,
Giardia lamblia, as you mentioned, is a parasite that has been demonstrated in water systems that fail to filter out cysts that resist chlorination. Infection is acquired by ingestion of cysts that excyst (open up) and multiply in the small intestine (duodenum). Infection may be prevented by disinfecting water, using 13 ml of a saturated solution of iodine added to 1 liter of clear water or 26 ml added to  1 liter of cloudy water. In 15 minutes virtually all pathogens will be killed at 20 degrees celsius, but at 3 degrees celsius, this and other common disinfectant methods may not be totally effective. Boiling water also kills all the cysts.
Giardia lamblia is frequently spread by sexual or other close person-to-person contacts in which fecal contamination may occur, especially in day care centers and mental institutions. Rarely, Giardia infection has been transmitted by contaminated food. I would not recommend the practice of using contaminated water to wash food preparation areas or hands. I hope you find this information helpful.
This response is being provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or consultation. Always check with your personal physician when you have a question pertaining to your health.
If you would like to be seen at our institution please call 1-800-653-6568, our Referring Physicians’ Office and make an appointment to see Dr. Muszkat, one of our experts in Gastroenterology.
HFHSM.D.-ym
*Keywords: Giardia lamblia, modes of transmission

[Anita133]

A related discussion, Giardia Lambia was started.