June 13, 2009: Giardia And Campylobacter Infect Idaho Water Customers

June 14th, 2009

A “boil water advisory” was issued for approximately 120 Eagle customers in the Eagle subdivisions of Island Woods and Henry’s North 40, after water testing indicated the presence of coliform bacteria in the drinking water.

An improperly installed backflow assembly device allowed untreated irrigation water to contaminate a portion of the subdivisions’ drinking water. Testing by United Water detected E. coli in the drinking water, although it is likely that residents were exposed to other pathogens as well.

According to health officials, 4 cases of Campylobacter infection and 1 case Giardia infection have been reported.  As a result, the Idaho Central District Health Department (CDHD) is advising doctors to test ill residents for Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, E. coli, and Giardia.

The following information can be found on the CDHD website:

“Our concern is that physicians may only be looking for E. coli in patients complaining of diarrheal illness potentially linked to drinking water,” said Nikki Sakata, Program Manager of the Communicable Disease Control program at CDHD. “We recommend that physicians also test for other bacteria, ova and parasites, including cryptosporidium.”

Physicians should report suspect cases to the Office of Communicable Disease Control at CDHD at 327-8625 for further investigation.

Campylobacter is a bacteria which can cause intestinal infections, leading to abdominal pain, fever, nausea and vomiting. Giardia is a parasite causing intestinal infections that can lead to abdominal cramps, diarrhea, gas, bloating, loss of appetite and fatigue. Cryptosporidium is a microscopic parasite that lives in the intestines of infected humans and animals. Symptoms include diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting and sometimes fever. Symptoms can last up to two weeks.”

To learn more about the symptoms of Giardia, Cryptosoridium, Campylobacter, E. coli, and other water- and foodborne pathogens, please visit our additional website by clicking on E. coli Symptoms.

You can also find information on recent food poisoning outbreaks and drug company recalls by clicking on Hydroxycut Lawyer, E. coli Lawsuit, Peanut Butter Salmonella Lawyer, and Sprouts Salmonella Lawsuit.

Entry Filed under: Food Poisoning Outbreaks and Recall News