Giardiasis, 2015

During 2015, 626 cases of Giardia infection (11.5 per 100,000) were reported. This represents a 16% decrease from the median number of cases reported annually from 2005 through 2014 (median, 729 cases; range, 620 to 1,241). Recent immigrants and refugees continue to represent a substantial proportion of cases, accounting for 42% of all cases. An additional 9% of cases reported international travel in the 3 weeks prior to illness onset. The median age for all cases reported in 2015 was 20 years (range, 10 months to 83 years). Thirty-five percent of cases were <10 years of age, and 20% were >50 years of age. Excluding cases identified through immigrant and refugee health screenings, 66% were male. Giardia infections showed a summer/fall seasonality; 51% of non-immigrant and refugee cases occurred during July through October. Thirty-three (5%) cases required hospitalization, for a median of 3 days (range, 1 to 15 days). One outbreak of giardiasis was identified in Minnesota in 2015; it occurred in a daycare and accounted for 4 laboratory-confirmed cases.

• For up to date information see>> Giardiasis (Giardia)
• Full issue>> Annual Summary of Communicable Diseases Reported to the Minnesota Department of Health, 2015