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Giardiasis surveillance--United States, 1998-2002
Michele C Hlavsa1, John C Watson, Michael J Beach
1Atlanta Research and Education Foundation, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Surveillance Summaries (Washington, D.C. : 2002)
|January 28, 2005
Summary
Giardiasis cases fluctuated between 1998-2002, with higher incidence in northern states and among young children. Increased reporting may be linked to its 2002 national notifiable disease status.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Parasitology
Background:
- Giardiasis is a gastrointestinal illness caused by the protozoan parasite Giardia intestinalis.
- Understanding giardiasis epidemiology is crucial for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze trends and characteristics of reported giardiasis cases in the United States from 1998 to 2002.
- To inform public health strategies for giardiasis prevention and control.
Main Methods:
- Voluntary reporting of giardiasis cases through the CDC's National Electronic Telecommunications System for Surveillance (NETSS).
- Data collected from state, commonwealth, territorial, and metropolitan health departments between 1998 and 2002.
Main Results:
- Reported giardiasis cases decreased from 1998 to 2001, then increased in 2002. The number of reporting states increased, but states with high incidence (>15 cases/100,000) decreased.
- Case reports were most frequent in children aged 1-9 and adults aged 30-39.
- Incidence was highest in northern states, with a seasonal peak during summer and early fall, coinciding with recreational water use.
Conclusions:
- The 2002 increase may reflect improved reporting following designation as a nationally notifiable disease.
- Giardiasis transmission occurs nationwide, with regional variations in reporting and diagnosis.
- Surveillance data are vital for educating healthcare providers, improving case reporting, planning prevention, and setting research priorities.