The Hopkins County Health Department (HCHD) says the county is experiencing a “Giardia outbreak.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, giardia is “an intestinal infection marked by stomach cramps, bloating, nausea and bouts of watery diarrhea. Giardia infection is caused by a microscopic parasite that is found worldwide, especially in areas with poor sanitation and unsafe water.”
It is one of the most common causes of waterborne disease in the U.S., the Mayo Clinic states, and is spread through food and person-to-person contact.
The HCHD said the illnesses are being tracked by the health department’s epidemiology nurses, the state regional epidemiologist and the state epidemiology department.
According to health officials, there are currently 23 cases of giardia in Hopkins County.
The health department said that ways to prevent giardia include:
- Handwashing after using the bathroom, changing diapers, before handling food, and after touching animals or soil
- Avoid drinking water from lakes, rivers, or streams (or getting water into your mouth)
- Boil water for one minute to kill the parasite
- Thoroughly wash all fruits and vegetables
- Avoid animal feces
- Utilize safe food preparation
Giardia infections usually clear up within a few weeks. But those afflicted with the illness may experience intestinal problems long after the parasites are gone. Several drugs are generally effective against giardia parasites, but not everyone responds to them, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Symptoms
Some people with giardia infection never develop signs or symptoms, the Mayo Clinic says, but they still carry the parasite and can spread it to others through their stool. For those who do get sick, signs and symptoms usually appear one to three weeks after exposure and may include:
- Watery, sometimes foul-smelling diarrhea that may alternate with soft, greasy stools
- Fatigue
- Stomach cramps and bloating
- Gas
- Nausea
- Weight loss
Signs and symptoms of giardia infection may last two to six weeks, but in some people they last longer or recur.
(Photo: Microscopic look at a giardia parasite, courtesy of the CDC)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
