Reporting Obligations
Individuals with suspect or confirmed cases must be reported to the Thunder Bay District Health Unit by the next working day by fax, phone or mail.
- Fax: (807) 625-4822
- Phone: 625-5930 or toll-free at 1-888-294-6630, ext. 5930
- Mail: 999 Balmoral Street, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6E7
Epidemiology
Aetiologic Agent:
Giardiasis is caused by the protozoa, Giardia lamblia (also known as G. intestinalis or G. duodenalis). The organism is found in two forms, a pear-shaped trophozoite and an ovoid cyst. The trophozoite is relatively fragile, and dies when excreted from the body. The cyst form, which is environmentally resistant, thrives in warm, still bodies of water such as ponds and stagnant lakes. Additionally, it can be found in fecally contaminated surfaces and food items.
Clinical Presentation:
Symptoms may include a) acute, self-limiting diarrhea, b) chronic diarrhea, steatorrhea, abdominal cramps, bloating, frequent loose and pale greasy stools, fatigue, and weight loss. There is usually no extraintestinal invasion, but reactive arthritis and, in severe giardiasis, damage to duodenal and jejunal mucosal cells may occur.
Persons may also be asymptomatic
Modes of transmission:
Transmission is fecal-oral, most commonly through the ingestion of contaminated water or by direct person-to-person contact. Anal-oral contact and transmission through food vehicles and fecally contaminated recreational and drinking water may also occur.
Incubation Period:
Usually 3 – 25 days or longer; median 7 – 10 days.
Period of Communicability:
Duration of cyst excretion is variable but can range from weeks to months. Giardiasis is communicable for as long as the infected person excretes cysts.
Risk Factors/Susceptibility
- Children less than 5 years of age and adults 25-39 years of age
- Child that attends childcare and childcare workers
- Recreational water contact, especially surface water (lakes, rivers, ponds) where beavers are found, as beavers are a natural host
- Persons with HIV infection may have more serious and prolonged illness
- Poor hand hygiene
- Travel outside of province/country
- Consumption of potentially contaminated water
Diagnosis & Laboratory Testing
Diagnosis is made by microscopic examination of clinical specimens (e.g., stool, duodenal fluid, small bowel biopsy) for G. lamblia cysts or trophozoites, or by Giardia immunoassays for G. lamblia antigen. Three specimens taken 2-3 days apart will identify 80-90% of infections.
Testing Information & Requisition
Treatment & Case Management
Treatment is as prescribed by the attending health care provider.
Inform patient that symptomatic cases will be excluded from conducting activities in high-risk settings such as the food industry, healthcare or daycare until symptom free for 24 hours, OR symptom free for 48 hours after discontinuing use of anti-diarrheal medication.
Cases should not use recreational water venues (swimming pools, lakes and rivers) for 2 weeks after symptoms resolve. Assess household members and close contacts for symptoms.
Provide education about the illness and how to prevent the spread of infection (proper hand hygiene after toileting or diapering and before handling food; avoid consumption of surface water without prior treatment; regular testing of private water samples).
Patient Information
References
Additional Resources
1. Heymann, D.L. Control of Communicable Disease Manual (20th Ed.). Washington, American Public Health Association, 2015.