[An outbreak of giardiasis in a child day-care centre in Trondheim]

Erik Wahl1, Lars Bevanger

  • 1Mattilsynet, distriktskontoret for Trondheim, Postboks 383, 2383 Brumunddal. erik.wahl@mattilsynet.no

Insights

Norway experienced its first registered giardiasis outbreak in a Trondheim child day-care centre, highlighting potential under-diagnosis of Giardia infections. The outbreak affected 44% of one section, emphasizing the need for improved hygiene practices in childcare settings.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology

Context:

  • Giardia infection prevalence is low but likely under-diagnosed in Norway.
  • Child day-care centres are known hotspots for Giardiasis outbreaks globally.
  • This study documents the first registered giardiasis outbreak in Norway.

Purpose:

  • To report and analyze the first documented outbreak of Giardia infection in a Norwegian child day-care centre.
  • To investigate the transmission routes and contributing factors of the outbreak.
  • To implement and assess preventative measures.

Summary:

  • An outbreak of Giardia infection occurred in a Trondheim child day-care centre between November 2003 and July 2004.
  • 44% of children in one section were infected, with potential transmission linked to food preparation and hygiene practices.
  • The source was not definitively identified, but inadequate hand hygiene and exposed drinking cups were implicated.

Impact:

  • Highlights the potential for Giardia outbreaks in Norwegian childcare facilities.
  • Underscores the importance of stringent hygiene protocols in preventing parasitic infections.
  • Informs public health strategies for Giardia surveillance and control in Norway.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Giardiasis01:12

Giardiasis

Giardiasis is a globally prevalent intestinal infection caused by the protozoan parasite Giardia duodenalis (also known as G. lamblia or G. intestinalis). This flagellated protozoan is the most frequently identified intestinal parasite in the United States and worldwide. Transmission primarily occurs via the fecal-oral route, with infection arising from ingestion of water or food contaminated with cysts. Individuals in low-resource settings, international travelers, outdoor enthusiasts, daycare...
Bacterial Gastroenteritis01:18

Bacterial Gastroenteritis

Bacterial gastroenteritis, characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting, is often caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water and is frequently associated with pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. These microbes exploit two principal mechanisms to inflict disease.Shiga toxin–producing E. coli, also referred to as STEC—notably O157:H7—release Shiga toxins that target ribosomes, blocking protein synthesis. The B subunit of the toxin binds the host glycolipid receptor...
Investigation of Disease Outbreaks01:23

Investigation of Disease Outbreaks

Multistate foodborne outbreaks pose significant public health risks and require meticulous investigation to identify sources and implement control measures. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) utilizes a dynamic seven-step process for these investigations, integrating data from laboratories, interviews, and environmental assessments to protect public health.Outbreak Detection: The detection of multistate outbreaks typically begins with PulseNet, the CDC's national laboratory...
Trichomoniasis01:18

Trichomoniasis

Trichomonas vaginalis is a flagellated protozoan parasite and the causative agent of trichomoniasis, one of the most prevalent non-viral sexually transmitted infections in the United States. This extracellular parasite primarily colonizes the lower genitourinary tract in women—particularly the vagina—and in men, the urethra and prostate. Its structural and functional adaptations enable its survival, motility, and pathogenicity within the host environment.Structural Features and Host EntryT.
Toxoplasmosis01:28

Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis, a zoonotic disease caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, poses significant public health challenges globally due to its high seroprevalence and varied clinical manifestations. As an obligate intracellular parasite, T. gondii can infect all warm-blooded vertebrates, but felids are its only definitive hosts, shedding unsporulated oocysts into the environment. Humans typically acquire the infection through ingestion of tissue cysts in undercooked meat or oocysts from...
Diphtheria01:28

Diphtheria

Diphtheria is an acute, toxin-mediated infectious disease that primarily affects the upper respiratory tract. It is caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, a Gram-positive, pleomorphic rod that lacks spore-forming capability and exhibits a characteristic club-shaped morphology under microscopic examination. While C. diphtheriae can asymptomatically colonize mucosal surfaces, clinical disease manifests only when the bacterial strain is lysogenized by a specific β-corynephage. This phage...