Giardiasis, 2019

In 2019, 577 cases of Giardia infection (10.3 per 100,000) were reported. This represents a 12% decrease from the median number of cases reported annually from 2009 through 2018 (median, 648 cases; range, 508 to 846). Recent immigrants and refugees accounted for 10% of cases. An additional 16% of cases reported international travel in the 3 weeks prior to illness onset. Excluding recent immigrants and refugees, the median age of cases was 34 years (range, 2 months to 92 years). Seventeen percent were <10 years of age, and 37% were >50 years of age. Fifty-seven percent of non-immigrant and refugee cases were male. Giardia infections had a summer/fall seasonality; 47% of non-immigrant and refugee cases occurred during July through October. Thirty-seven (6%) cases required hospitalization, for a median of 4 days (range, 1 to 39 days).

Two outbreaks were identified that accounted for 10 laboratory-confirmed cases. Both outbreaks were associated with person-to-person transmission in childcare settings.

• Find up to date information at>> Giardiasis (Giardia)
• Full issue>> Annual Summary of Communicable Diseases Reported to the Minnesota Department of Health, 2019