Giardiasis is a diarrhoeal illness caused by Giardia lamblia, a one-celled macroscopic parasite that lives in the intestine of humans and animals. Giardia lamblia trophozoïtes live in the small intestine of the host. Cysts, which are resistant to adverse environmental conditions, are excreted in faeces of an infected host. One person can excrete millions of G. lamblia cysts each day. It is the most frequent cause of non-bacterial diarrhoea in humans in the United States. Many cases of “traveller's diarrhoea” are caused by Giardia. Symptoms include diarrhoea, loose or watery stool, stomach cramps, weight loss and dehydration. Many people suffering from Giardia have no symptoms at all. Giardia can be very contagious and is spread from person to person via the fecal-oral route. Giardia can be found in food, water or surfaces that have been contaminated with feces from infected humans or animals.

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