Giardia, Giardiasis, and Evaluation of the Role of Wildlife in Transmission into Human Populations at Acadia National Park, Maine
O'Connell AF. 2003. Giardia, Giardiasis, and Evaluation of the Role of Wildlife in Transmission into Human Populations at Acadia National Park, Maine. Technical Report NPS/BSO-RNR/NRTR/2003-1. Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Boston, MA
In 2001, local utility on MDI requested that the NPS remove beavers from a lake and surrounding watershed to prevent outbreaks of giardiasis in the human population. The report is the scientific investigation into the issue and a response to the request. This report was not water quality research in the watershed. 'In this paper I review the biology, epizootology, and ecology of giardia, and the environmental circumstances surrounding outbreaks of giardiasis in humans. This information will provide the National Park Service and others with a sound scientific foundation about the relationship between wildlife and giardia to base effective management actions that protect both wildlife and public health.' 'Implicating wildlife as the primary reservoir for giardia with the intent to eradicate an area of potential human infection does not reflect sound management, at least based on scientific evidence.' ' If public health concerns about giardiasis in public water supplies are an important issue, then management efforts should be focused on water treatment strategies, and not removal of potentially offending wildlife.'
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- O'Connell, Allan
- Date of Issue
- 2003-02
- Publisher
- Department of the Interior, National Park Service
- Units
- ACAD
- Keywords
- Disease, Health Hazards, Protozoa, Water, Water Use