Survey of Canada Goose Feces for Presence of Giardia

• Main Authors: Christopher R. Ayers, Christopher S. DePerno, Christopher E. Moorman, Henry H. Stibbs, Angela M. Faust
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Utah State University 2017
• Subjects: branta canadensis; canada geese; giardia spp; human–wildlife conflicts; zoonotic diseases; Environmental sciences; GE1-350; General. Including nature conservation; geographical distribution; QH1-199.5; Canada; Raleigh; Chapel Hill; Branta canadensis; Canada Goose
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.26077/asct-j139; https://doaj.org/article/b754ebf4a54d463fb228a8a6bb73f027

As resident Canada goose (Branta canadensis) populations increase throughout North America, so do the health and environmental risks associated with goose feces. Previous studies suggest that goose feces may be a conduit for transmitting Giardia, a protozoan that is parasitic to humans. We surveyed fecal droppings from free-ranging resident Canada geese for Giardia spp. at 9 sites in the Triangle area (Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill) of North Carolina in 2007 and 2008. Samples (n = 234) were tested using the ProSpect® Giardia EZ Microplate Assay, and there were no positives. Our results indicate that risk of zoonotic giardiasis from Canada goose feces in the Triangle area of North Carolina is low.