Giardia:The disease giardiasis is caused by the 'flagellated protozoan Giardia larnblia.This disease occurs in the areas where poor sanitary conditions prevail and it affects mostly children. The cyst of this organism is absorbed through the intestinal walls and the affected person excretes Giardia cysts in faeces.
The cysts get transferred to food when contaminated water is used for washing the vegetables. Consumption of such food containing the cysts leads to infection. The incubation period ranges between 2-25 days and the symptoms include discomfort, rlausea and diarrhoea. Infected persons may simply be the carriers and may not always exhibit symptoms. The disease can be prevented by adopting good personal habits and proper faecal disposal methods and protecting the water supplies from jaecal contamination.