Researchers detail in 'Giardiasis outbreak at a camp after installation of a slow-sand filtration water-treatment system,' new data in Giardiasis. According to recent research from Richmond, United States, 'In July and August 2007, a giardiasis outbreak affected attendees of a private recreational camp in California. Twenty-six persons had laboratory-confirmed giardiasis; another 24 had giardiasis-like illness with no stool test.'
'A retrospective cohort study determined that showering was associated with illness (adjusted odds ratio 3*1, 95% confidence interval 1*1-9*3). Two days before the outbreak began, the camp had installed a slow-sand water filtration system that included unsterilized sand. Review of historical water-quality data identified substantially elevated total coliform and turbidity levels in sand-filtered spring water used for showering during the suspected exposure period. Unfiltered spring water tested at the same time had acceptable coliform and turbidity levels, implicating the filtration system as the most likely contamination source,' wrote A.E. Karon and colleagues (see also Giardiasis).
The researchers concluded: 'To prevent waterborne illness, slow-sand water filtration systems should use sterilized sand, and slow-sand-filtered water should not be used for any purpose where inadvertent ingestion could occur until testing confirms its potability.'
Karon and colleagues published their study in Epidemiology and Infection (Giardiasis outbreak at a camp after installation of a slow-sand filtration water-treatment system. Epidemiology and Infection, 2011;139(5):713-7).
For additional information, contact A.E. Karon, California Dept. of Public Health, Richmond, CA, United States.
Publisher contact information for the journal Epidemiology and Infection is: Cambridge University Press, 32 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10013-2473.
Keywords: City:Richmond, State:California, Country:United States, Region:North and Central America, Giardiasis, Infectious Disease.
This article was prepared by Health & Medicine Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2011, Health & Medicine Week via NewsRx.com.
