Filtration: Portable water filters are available Iodine gives water a medicinal taste that some in pump or drip bag styles from sporting goods find objectionable. You can make the water more Steps to a Safe, Healthy Back-Country Trip stores. Prices range from $25 to $300. Pump-type palatable by adding a flavored drink mix such as • Assume clear and cold streams, lakes, or filters give campers the option of a cool drink of lemonade. springs are contaminated and treat appropri- WATER QUALITY water without the wait. For effective Giardia and Chlorine and halazone are not recommended ately before drinking from them. Cryptosporidium parasite removal, the filter’s as reliable back-country water treatments for • Wash fruits and vegetables only in safe/treated pore size should be 1 micron or smaller. Filters Giardia or Cryptosporidium because water water. with a pore size of 0.2 microns are required to temperature, turbidity, and acidity influence their remove some types of bacteria. Filters generally effectiveness. • Use safe/treated water to make instant are considered ineffective in removing viruses puddings, gelatin, and other uncooked foods. from water (a special concern for travelers in • Avoid using snow to make icy drinks or ice Third World countries). Reduce Your Risk cream. When using a portable filter, choose the The more untreated water you consume, the • Brush teeth with safe/treated water. DATE. cleanest water available and allow silt to settle in greater your risk. Even if you boil, filter, or chemically treat water, you still could contract Safe Water a container before filtering. Some filters can be cleaned, while others must be replaced when they giardiasis or cryptosporidiosis. However, by OF become plugged. When a filter becomes clogged, following good management practices discussed pumping slows down or becomes impossible, but here, you will significantly reduce your risk. it’s difficult to know exactly when to clean or Giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis are not the Practices change a filter. only potential health risks associated with back- OUT Be careful not to recontaminate the filtered country travel. Disease-causing organisms also water by drinking from a cup or bottle used to dip may be transmitted by food handlers or by IS the water from the stream, or by interchanging unsanitized utensils. Groups using shared eating in the tubes and containers. utensils should make a small bottle of chlorine Chemical Treatment: The best chemical bleach part of their cooking gear. You can reduce treatment for Giardia is iodine-based tablets the spread of other diseases in your party by using labeled “emergency drinking water germicidal boiled water for dishwashing and adding 1 to 2 information: tablespoons of chlorine bleach per gallon of boiled Back Country tablets” with the active ingredient tetraglycine hydroperiodide. These tablets are considered rinse water. ineffective on Cryptosporidium. The tablets are Presently the best method for managing human Avoiding Giardiasis and Cryptosporidiosis feces in the back country to prevent contamination The authors thank the following individuals for their review of available at sporting goods stores and pharma- this material: Ernest Meyer, professor of microbiology, Oregon cies. Germicidal tablets provide a lightweight of water is as follows: Health Sciences University, Portland; Bill Keene, epidemiolo- water treatment method when fuel is limited, but • Choose a toilet area at least 200 feet from any gist, Oregon State Health Department, Salem; Margecurrent Woodburn, professor of nutrition and food management, Oregon State medical experts recommend against using them lake, stream, or spring and avoid gullies where University, Corvallis; MarshaPUBLICATION Goldoft, epidemiologist, for longer than 2 months. rapid runoff is likely. Washington State Health Department, Olympia; Ron Miner, Extension water quality specialist, Oregon State University, Emergency drinking water germicidal tablets • Dig a small individual hole. Deposit the feces Corvallis; and Marilyn Swanson, Extension nutrition specialist, are effective in destroying Giardia, bacteria, and in the hole and cover with soil and leaves. Do University of Idaho, Moscow. most viruses when used correctly. The tablets are most not cover feces with a rock—it slows decom- This publicationTHIS was produced and distributed in furtherance of ° effective when the water is warmed to 70 F and position. the Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914. Extension allowed to sit 20 minutes after the tablet is added. work is a cooperativeFor program of Oregon State University, the To avoid using fuel, you can warm your water in • Carry out used toilet paper or burn it in a U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Oregon counties. campfire. On some rivers, you are required to EC 1431 the sun. If the water is cloudy, you’ll need to add Oregon State University Extensionhttp://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog Service offers educational Reprinted March 1996 more tablets. Because iodine-based tablets carry out all feces and toilet paper in sealed programs, activities, and materials—without regard to race, containers. color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, gradually lose their effectiveness after the marital status, disability, and disabled veteran or Vietnam-era container is opened, you should replace them Leave your dog at home. Dogs can get diseases veteran status—as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act from contaminated water and can spread them to of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and after 6 months. Liquid and crystallized forms of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Oregon State iodine are not recommended for water treatment. humans. Treatment is expensive—even for dogs. University Extension Service is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Safe Water Practices in the Back Country— Giardiasis and Cryptosporidiosis— When Giardia or Cryptosporidium is a Who’s at Risk? concern in home water supplies originating from Avoiding Giardiasis and Cryptosporidiosis The Diseases surface water, springs, or shallow wells, the home In the back country, you are at risk if treatment system must be selected carefully and H. Conner and M.A. Sward The symptoms of giardiasis show up 5 to 25 you drink untreated water from any maintained properly. source—streams, rivers, lakes, and even days after the contaminated water or cysts are Even though Northwest streams, rivers, lakes, springs. But back-country water users are consumed. Symptoms of cryptosporidiosis begin and springs are famous for their natural beauty not alone; others at risk include: in an average of 7 days. The most common Avoid Spreading Giardia Cysts and clear, sparkling water, all back-country water symptoms of both diseases are persisting diarrhea • People who accidentally ingest non- Some people get the parasites that cause should be considered contaminated by Giardia and an unpleasant, bloated feeling. Because purified water when swimming or giardiasis or cryptosporidiosis from others. To (jee-ar-dee-uh) or other potentially harmful Giardia interfere with the absorption of fat, the irrigating. avoid spreading disease, wash your hands microorganisms. Drinking straight from these stools often will be foul smelling and look pale thoroughly after caring for a sick person, after • People whose home drinking water water sources invites disease. Giardia is a leading DATE. and greasy. If you have these symptoms, seek changing baby’s diapers, after working or playing comes from unchlorinated and unfiltered cause of waterborne infectious diarrhea, not only medical advice for positive identification of the with animals, after going to the bathroom, and surface water, springs, or shallow wells. in the United States but in nearly every country in disease and treatment. Giardiasis can be treated before handling food. the world. Another concern for users of back- • InfantsOF and children, especially those in with several different drugs. country water is Cryptosporidium, which also day care facilities, and the people who Although cryptosporidiosis is more difficult to causes diarrheal illness. care for them (risk of fecal-oral identify, the disease usually is self limiting and is Treating Back-Country Water: contamination) gone within 1 or 2 weeks. Both diseases can be quite unpleasant but usually are not life threaten- What Works OUT• People whose sexual practices involve What is Giardia? ing. The exception is cryptosporidiosis in those fecal-oral contact. This microscopic, protozoan parasite can cause IS who are immunosuppressed (for example, AIDS Best Rolling boil for 1 minute health problems in humans and in some animals, • Travelers in foreign countries, especially patients). Since there is no known therapy, the Protection including dogs. Giardia cysts enter the host by countries with poor sanitation or disease can be life threatening in these patients. Filter water with portable filter with 1 micron or mouth, usually by ingesting water or food untreated surface water. Many people infected with Giardia or smaller pore size. contaminated with feces. While in the body, • People who are in close contact with Cryptosporidium have no symptoms, but may Giardia multiplies in the intestine and can cause infected calves, lambs, or other animals shed cysts and infect others. Those with Treat water with drinking the disease giardiasis. Microscopic cysts of the information:(risk of infection from Cryptosporidium, cryptosporidiosis appear to develop antibodies water germicidal tablets (not Giardia parasite are shed in the feces of infected primarily). and some immunity to the disease for an effective on Cryptosporidium) people and animals. The cysts may survive for unknown length of time. months in water or snow. Poorest Chlorine or halazone tablets Preventing Giardiasis Protection added to water. What is Cryptosporidium? current Origin of Giardia and Cryptosporidium Cryptosporidium isPUBLICATION another protozoan parasite and Cryptosporidiosis Some animals, such as beavers and muskrats, If you are going into the back country, or to a How to Treat the Water that also can infect and cause disease in a wide carry Giardia and can contaminate the water with variety of mammals. Oocysts (egg capsules) are country with poor sanitation, treat all water you Boiling: Giardia cysts are killed at about their feces. Cryptosporidium is closely linked to ° shed in the feces of infectedmost animals and people, consume as if it’s contaminated with Giardia or 135 F, which is considerably lower than boiling contamination of water by cattle feces or human Cryptosporidium. The best treatment method is temperature. However, it’s difficult for campers to and canTHIS contaminate water. Several outbreaks sewage. Studies have shown that both organisms have been linked to improperly treated city water to boil the water. Filtering and some forms of know when water has reached that temperature, are widespread in surface water in the United chemical treatment also can be effective in particularly at higher elevations. To ensure safe of surface origin.For Since cryptosporidiosis is not a States. Increased human use of back-country reportable disease in Oregon, little is known about reducing the risk. Good hand washing and water, bring the water to a full rolling boil and areas may have added to the problem. Both sanitation practices also are important when boil for 1 minute. This will destroy Giardia and the number of cases http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalogaffecting people using back- human and animal feces containing Giardia or country areas. camping. Cryptosporidium parasites and also bacteria that Cryptosporidium parasites can be carried into Today, most public water supplies are treated, may contaminate water in any of the Northwest streams, lakes, springs, and even shallow wells and all are required to test for and treat for states. You also should boil foods with added Helen Conner, former Extension agent, Malheur with runoff. County; and Mary Ann Sward, Extension housing Giardia if present. Most are not required to test water for at least 1 minute. specialist; Oregon State University. for Cryptosporidium. Safe Water Practices in the Back Country— Giardiasis and Cryptosporidiosis— When Giardia or Cryptosporidium is a Who’s at Risk? concern in home water supplies originating from Avoiding Giardiasis and Cryptosporidiosis The Diseases surface water, springs, or shallow wells, the home In the back country, you are at risk if treatment system must be selected carefully and H. Conner and M.A. Sward The symptoms of giardiasis show up 5 to 25 you drink untreated water from any maintained properly. source—streams, rivers, lakes, and even days after the contaminated water or cysts are Even though Northwest streams, rivers, lakes, springs. But back-country water users are consumed. Symptoms of cryptosporidiosis begin and springs are famous for their natural beauty not alone; others at risk include: in an average of 7 days. The most common Avoid Spreading Giardia Cysts and clear, sparkling water, all back-country water symptoms of both diseases are persisting diarrhea • People who accidentally ingest non- Some people get the parasites that cause should be considered contaminated by Giardia and an unpleasant, bloated feeling. Because purified water when swimming or giardiasis or cryptosporidiosis from others. To (jee-ar-dee-uh) or other potentially harmful Giardia interfere with the absorption of fat, the irrigating. avoid spreading disease, wash your hands microorganisms. Drinking straight from these stools often will be foul smelling and look pale thoroughly after caring for a sick person, after • People whose home drinking water water sources invites disease. Giardia is a leading and greasy. If you have these symptoms, seek changing baby’s diapers,DATE. after working or playing comes from unchlorinated and unfiltered cause of waterborne infectious diarrhea, not only medical advice for positive identification of the with animals, after going to the bathroom, and surface water, springs, or shallow wells. in the United States but in nearly every country in disease and treatment. Giardiasis can be treated before handling food. the world. Another concern for users of back- • Infants and children, especially those in with several different drugs. OF country water is Cryptosporidium, which also day care facilities, and the people who Although cryptosporidiosis is more difficult to causes diarrheal illness. care for them (risk of fecal-oral identify, the disease usually is self limiting and is Treating Back-Country Water: contamination) gone within 1 or 2 weeks. Both diseases can be quite unpleasant but usually are not life threaten- What Works • People whose sexual practices involve OUT What is Giardia? ing. The exception is cryptosporidiosis in those fecal-oral contact. This microscopic, protozoan parasite can cause who are immunosuppressed (for example, AIDS IS Best Rolling boil for 1 minute health problems in humans and in some animals, • Travelers in foreign countries, especially patients). Since there is no known therapy, the Protection including dogs. Giardia cysts enter the host by countries with poor sanitation or disease can be life threatening in these patients. Filter water with portable filter with 1 micron or mouth, usually by ingesting water or food untreated surface water. Many people infected with Giardia or smaller pore size. contaminated with feces. While in the body, • People who are in close contact with Cryptosporidium have no symptoms, but may Giardia multiplies in the intestine and can cause infected calves, lambs, or other animals shed cysts and infect others. Those with Treat water with drinking the disease giardiasis. Microscopic cysts of the (risk of infection from Cryptosporidium, cryptosporidiosis appear to develop antibodies information: water germicidal tablets (not Giardia parasite are shed in the feces of infected primarily). and some immunity to the disease for an effective on Cryptosporidium) people and animals. The cysts may survive for unknown length of time. months in water or snow. Poorest Chlorine or halazone tablets Preventing Giardiasis Protection added to water. What is Cryptosporidium? Origin of Giardia and Cryptosporidium current Cryptosporidium is another protozoan parasite and CryptosporidiosisPUBLICATION Some animals, such as beavers and muskrats, If you are going into the back country, or to a How to Treat the Water that also can infect and cause disease in a wide carry Giardia and can contaminate the water with variety of mammals. Oocysts (egg capsules) are country with poor sanitation, treat all water you Boiling: Giardia cysts are killed at about their feces. Cryptosporidium is closely linked to ° shed in the feces of infected animals and people, consume as if it’s contaminatedmost with Giardia or 135 F, which is considerably lower than boiling contamination of water by cattle feces or human Cryptosporidium. The best treatment method is temperature. However, it’s difficult for campers to and can contaminate water. Several outbreaks sewage. Studies have shown that both organisms THIS have been linked to improperly treated city water to boil the water. Filtering and some forms of know when water has reached that temperature, are widespread in surface water in the United chemical treatment also can be effective in particularly at higher elevations. To ensure safe of surface origin. Since cryptosporidiosis is not a States. Increased human use of back-country For reportable disease in Oregon, little is known about reducing the risk. Good hand washing and water, bring the water to a full rolling boil and areas may have added to the problem. Both sanitation practices also are important when boil for 1 minute. This will destroy Giardia and the number of cases affecting people using back- human and animal feces containing Giardia or http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog country areas. camping. Cryptosporidium parasites and also bacteria that Cryptosporidium parasites can be carried into Today, most public water supplies are treated, may contaminate water in any of the Northwest streams, lakes, springs, and even shallow wells and all are required to test for and treat for states. You also should boil foods with added Helen Conner, former Extension agent, Malheur with runoff. County; and Mary Ann Sward, Extension housing Giardia if present. Most are not required to test water for at least 1 minute. specialist; Oregon State University. for Cryptosporidium. Filtration: Portable water filters are available Iodine gives water a medicinal taste that some in pump or drip bag styles from sporting goods find objectionable. You can make the water more Steps to a Safe, Healthy Back-Country Trip stores. Prices range from $25 to $300. Pump-type palatable by adding a flavored drink mix such as • Assume clear and cold streams, lakes, or filters give campers the option of a cool drink of lemonade. springs are contaminated and treat appropri- WATER QUALITY water without the wait. For effective Giardia and Chlorine and halazone are not recommended ately before drinking from them. Cryptosporidium parasite removal, the filter’s as reliable back-country water treatments for • Wash fruits and vegetables only in safe/treated pore size should be 1 micron or smaller. Filters Giardia or Cryptosporidium because water water. with a pore size of 0.2 microns are required to temperature, turbidity, and acidity influence their remove some types of bacteria. Filters generally effectiveness. • Use safe/treated water to make instant are considered ineffective in removing viruses puddings, gelatin, and other uncooked foods. from water (a special concern for travelers in • Avoid using snow to make icy drinks or ice Third World countries). Reduce Your Risk cream. When using a portable filter, choose the The more untreatedDATE. water you consume, the • Brush teeth with safe/treated water. cleanest water available and allow silt to settle in greater your risk. Even if you boil, filter, or chemically treat water, you still could contract Safe Water a container before filtering. Some filters can be cleaned, while others must be replaced when they giardiasis OFor cryptosporidiosis. However, by become plugged. When a filter becomes clogged, following good management practices discussed pumping slows down or becomes impossible, but here, you will significantly reduce your risk. it’s difficult to know exactly when to clean or Giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis are not the Practices change a filter. OUTonly potential health risks associated with back- Be careful not to recontaminate the filtered country travel. Disease-causing organisms also water by drinking from a cup or bottle used to dip IS may be transmitted by food handlers or by the water from the stream, or by interchanging unsanitized utensils. Groups using shared eating in the tubes and containers. utensils should make a small bottle of chlorine Chemical Treatment: The best chemical bleach part of their cooking gear. You can reduce treatment for Giardia is iodine-based tablets the spread of other diseases in your party by using labeled “emergency drinking water germicidal information:boiled water for dishwashing and adding 1 to 2 tablespoons of chlorine bleach per gallon of boiled Back Country tablets” with the active ingredient tetraglycine hydroperiodide. These tablets are considered rinse water. ineffective on Cryptosporidium. The tablets are Presently the best method for managing human Avoiding Giardiasis and Cryptosporidiosis feces in the back country to prevent contamination The authors thank the following individuals for their review of available at sporting goods stores and pharma- this material: Ernest Meyer, professor of microbiology, Oregon cies. Germicidal tablets provide a lightweight of water is as follows: Health Sciences University, Portland; Bill Keene, epidemiolo- water treatment method when fuel is limited,current but • Choose a toilet area at least 200 feet from any gist, Oregon State Health Department, Salem; Marge Woodburn, professor of nutrition and food management, Oregon State medical experts recommendPUBLICATION against using them lake, stream, or spring and avoid gullies where University, Corvallis; Marsha Goldoft, epidemiologist, for longer than 2 months. rapid runoff is likely. Washington State Health Department, Olympia; Ron Miner, Extension water quality specialist, Oregon State University, Emergency drinking water germicidal tablets • Dig a small individual hole. Deposit the feces Corvallis; and Marilyn Swanson, Extension nutrition specialist, are effective in destroyingmost Giardia, bacteria, and in the hole and cover with soil and leaves. Do University of Idaho, Moscow. viruses THISwhen used correctly. The tablets are most not cover feces with a rock—it slows decom- This publication was produced and distributed in furtherance of ° effective when the water is warmed to 70 F and position. the Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914. Extension allowed to sit 20For minutes after the tablet is added. work is a cooperative program of Oregon State University, the To avoid using fuel, you can warm your water in • Carry out used toilet paper or burn it in a U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Oregon counties. campfire. On some rivers, you are required to EC 1431 the sun. If the water ishttp://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog cloudy, you’ll need to add Oregon State University Extension Service offers educational Reprinted March 1996 more tablets. Because iodine-based tablets carry out all feces and toilet paper in sealed programs, activities, and materials—without regard to race, containers. color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, gradually lose their effectiveness after the marital status, disability, and disabled veteran or Vietnam-era container is opened, you should replace them Leave your dog at home. Dogs can get diseases veteran status—as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act from contaminated water and can spread them to of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and after 6 months. Liquid and crystallized forms of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Oregon State iodine are not recommended for water treatment. humans. Treatment is expensive—even for dogs. University Extension Service is an Equal Opportunity Employer.