Report No DWI0659

GIARDIA - ITS DISTRIBUTION, IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL

DWI0659

Jun l987

A conference was recently held (24-25th February 1987) in Calgary, Canada at which the nature of the disease, Giardiasis, the distribution and identification of the causative protozoa and the role of water as a vector was reviewed. The proceedings are s ummarised in this report and are discussed within the context of UK experience and practices.

The report concludes that, although information about the disease and the protozoa is sparse, the cysts are readily removed from contaminated water by good water treatment practices. The risk of waterborne Giardiasis in the UK is very low and provided that Water Undertakers maintain current standards additional precautions appear unnecessary.

Copies of this report may be available as an Acrobat pdf download under the 'Find Completed Research' heading on the DWI website.