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Source: http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/3811421/Concern-over-giardia-outbreak-as-cases-rise
Concern over giardia outbreak as cases rise
The Dominion Post
Last updated 05:00 15/06/2010
Giardia cases have risen almost 50 per cent nationwide in the past three months, with concerns about an outbreak in the Wellington region.
There were eight cases recorded in the region the week before last, up on one the week before. But Regional Public Health has been quick to dismiss any suggestion of a serious problem.
The gut-residing parasite, which is found in animals and humans, is passed through faeces but lives on in environments such as waterways for a long time. It can cause diarrhoea, stomach cramps and nausea, among other symptoms.
The common symptoms make the parasite hard to diagnose but any stool sample tested positive for giardia must be notified to Regional Public Health, medical officer of health Stephen Palmer said.
Giardia cases fluctuated from week to week, but concerns were usually raised if there seemed to be a connection between the cases, such as if they were in the same geographic region...
Concern over giardia outbreak as cases rise
The Dominion Post
Last updated 05:00 15/06/2010
Giardia cases have risen almost 50 per cent nationwide in the past three months, with concerns about an outbreak in the Wellington region.
There were eight cases recorded in the region the week before last, up on one the week before. But Regional Public Health has been quick to dismiss any suggestion of a serious problem.
The gut-residing parasite, which is found in animals and humans, is passed through faeces but lives on in environments such as waterways for a long time. It can cause diarrhoea, stomach cramps and nausea, among other symptoms.
The common symptoms make the parasite hard to diagnose but any stool sample tested positive for giardia must be notified to Regional Public Health, medical officer of health Stephen Palmer said.
Giardia cases fluctuated from week to week, but concerns were usually raised if there seemed to be a connection between the cases, such as if they were in the same geographic region...