Transmission

= Transmission and Portal of Entry =



According to the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (2010), Giardia parasites are usually passed from humans and animals by encasing themselves in cysts or shells in order to survive outside the source's body. These cysts are then passed from the source reservoir's intestines to the stool. The cyst infected stool can then contaminate water or food supplies.

Because Giardia can survive outside of the source in cyst form for more than a month, the cysts can easily contaminate water and food supplies. The cysts can even be found in treated water supplies, and on the carrier’s hands if they handle contaminated materials, although by far the most common form of infection is from drinking infected water. (Mayo Clinic staff, 2010)

According to the Mayo Clinic staff (2010), infection occurs when the host ingests the cysts. Once inside the host’s stomach the cysts dissolve and the parasites are released inside of the new host to infect the intestinal tract.

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