title: Giardiasis Outbreak Associated with Asymptomatic Food Handlers in New York State, 2015.
abstract: Giardia duodenalis is a protozoan that causes a gastrointestinal illness called giardiasis. Giardiasis outbreaks in the United States are most commonly associated with waterborne transmission and are less commonly associated with food, person-to-person, and zoonotic transmission. During June to September 2015, an outbreak of 20 giardiasis cases occurred and were epidemiologically linked to a local grocery store chain on Long Island, New York. Further investigation revealed three asymptomatic food handlers were infected with G. duodenalis, and one food handler and one case were coinfected with Cryptosporidium spp. Although G. duodenalis was not detected in food samples, Cryptosporidium was identified in samples of spinach dip and potato salad. The G. duodenalis assemblage and subtype from one of the food handlers matched two outbreak cases for which genotyping could be performed. This outbreak highlights the potential role of asymptomatically infected food handlers in giardiasis outbreaks.
authors.affiliation: New York State Department of Health, Corning Tower, Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York 12237.|Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists Applied Epidemiology Fellowship Program, 2872 Woodcock Boulevard, Suite 250, Atlanta, Georgia 30341.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Figgatt
authors.affiliation: Parasitology Laboratory, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, 120 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, New York 12208.
authors.forename: Kimberly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mergen
authors.affiliation: Nassau County Department of Health, 200 County Seat Drive, Mineola, New York 11501, USA.
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kimelstein
authors.affiliation: Nassau County Department of Health, 200 County Seat Drive, Mineola, New York 11501, USA.
authors.forename: Danielle M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Mahoney
authors.affiliation: New York State Department of Health, Corning Tower, Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York 12237.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Newman
authors.affiliation: New York State Department of Health, Corning Tower, Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York 12237.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nicholas
authors.affiliation: Nassau County Department of Health, 200 County Seat Drive, Mineola, New York 11501, USA.
authors.forename: Kristen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ricupero
authors.affiliation: Nassau County Department of Health, 200 County Seat Drive, Mineola, New York 11501, USA.
authors.forename: Theresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cafiero
authors.affiliation: Nassau County Department of Health, 200 County Seat Drive, Mineola, New York 11501, USA.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Corry
authors.affiliation: New York State Department of Health, Corning Tower, Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York 12237.
authors.forename: Julius
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ade
authors.affiliation: New York State Department of Health, Corning Tower, Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York 12237.
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kurpiel
authors.affiliation: Parasitology Laboratory, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, 120 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, New York 12208.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Madison-Antenucci
authors.affiliation: New York State Department of Health, Corning Tower, Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York 12237.
authors.forename: Madhu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Anand
keywords: Assemblage; Food handlers; Foodborne disease; Giardiasis