June 17, 2005

Epidemiology Corner - Amebiasis

Amebiasis is a disease caused by a one-celled parasite called Entamoeba histolytica. The disease is more common in people living in developing country with poor hygiene and sanitary conditions. In the United States, it is more prevalent in people with history of travel to developing countries, refugees and immigrant populations, institutionalized populations and homosexuals. On average, about one in 10 people who are infected with E. histolytica become sick from the infection. The incubation period for the disease is 1-4 weeks. The symptoms often are quite mild and can include loose stools, stomach pain and stomach cramping. Amebic dysentery is a severe form of amebiasis associated with stomach pain, bloody stools and fever. Rarely, E. histolytica invades the liver and forms an abscess. Even less commonly, it can spread to other parts of the body, such as the lungs or brain.

The main preventive measures include

Education of the public in personal hygiene, particularly in hand washing after defecation, hand washing before preparing food and sanitary disposal of human feces (diapers, sewer systems, etc).
Dissemination of information regarding the risk of eating uncleaned or uncooked fruits and vegetables and of drinking water of questionable purity.
Education of high-risk groups to avoid sexual practices that may permit fecal-oral transmission.
People traveling to a country with poor sanitary conditions should exercise certain measures to avoid exposure to contaminated food and water. This includes drinking only bottled, filtered and boiled water. Avoid eating fresh fruits or vegetables that are already peeled. Avoid drinking or eating unpasteurized milk and other dairy products. Avoid eating or drinking items served by street vendors.

For further information on Amebiasis visit the CDC website http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/amebiasis/default.htm 

Return to index