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Title: SUSCEPTIBILITY OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION WITH CRYPTOSPORIDIUM PARVUM

Author
item GRACZYK, THADDEUS - JOHNS HOPKINS UNIV
item Fayer, Ronald
item Trout, James
item Jenkins, Mark
item Higgins, James
item LEWIS, EARL - NOAA OXFORD
item FARLEY, C - NOAA OXFORD

Submitted to: Environmental Research
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/1/2000
Publication Date: 3/1/2000
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Cryptosporidium as a potential public health threat was reviewed and waterborne outbreaks in the United States were recorded. The methods and results from a Maryland SeaGrant to study possible contamination of the Chesapeake Bay by examining shellfish for these organisms was reviewed and dit was indicated that oysters from all sites examined in the Bay were foun to contain oocysts of Cryptosporidium, indication of animal and/or human fecal contamination of the water. In addition, feces collected from migratory Canada geese were found to contain stages of Cryptosporidium from mammals, indicating that these birds could serve as mechanical carriers and disperse this parasite over wide geographic areas. The review suggested that a formal public assessment be made to determine the public health risk associated with consumption of raw shellfish.