Pathogens -- protozoans parasites

Protozoan Parasites

Protozoan parasites are often the cause of large community outbreaks related to drinking water. These para sites include Giardia lamblia, Cryptosporidium parvum and Cyclo spora. Several animal and human sources have been linked to the intro duction of waterborne parasites in drinking water. These included dairy farms (Cryptosporidium) and untreated sewage (Giardia). In addition, wet weather events tend to increase the concentrations and total numbers of parasites in source water. The larg est U.S. community outbreak of Cryptosporidium occurred in Milwau kee in I993. More than 50 people died. In addition, over 400,000 people became ill. In the HIV infected pa tient, this parasite may cause a life- threatening infection.