Foodborne Diseases - Parasitic
Parasitic Foodborne Diseases (Parasitic / Bacterial)
Cyclospora
Cyclospora infections are characterized by watery diarrhea, with frequent, sometimes explosive, stools. Other symptoms include loss of appetite, substantial weight loss, bloating, increased flatus, stomach cramps, nausea, fatigue, low-grade fever and vomiting. Diarrhea may last 9-43 days in otherwise healthy persons, but it may continue for months in immunocompromised persons. Asymptomatic and relapsing infections occur. Most reported cases have occurred during spring and summer.
Cryptosporidium
Cryptosporidiosis is a disease caused by the parasite Cryptosporidium parvum, which was first recognized as causing disease in humans in 1976. Few people had heard of cryptosporidiosis until 1993, when over 400,000 people in Milwaukee, Wisconsin became ill with diarrhea after drinking water contaminated with the parasite. The Cryptosporidium parasite is protected by an outer shell that allows it to survive outside the body for long periods of time and makes it very resistant to chlorine-based disinfectants.
Giardia
Giardiasis is an intestinal illness caused by a microscopic parasite called Giardia intestinalis. It is a fairly common cause of diarrheal illness, and more than 500 cases have been reported in Georgia each year since 1998. Cases may occur sporadically, in clusters, or as outbreaks.
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