World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

OCCURRENCE OF CRYPTOSPORIDIUM OOCYST AND GIARDIA CYST IN DRINKING WATER SOURCES OF THE RURAL COMMUNITIES OF DIRE DAWA ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL, EASTERN ETHIOPIA

Desalegn Amenu*, Sissay Menkir and Tesfaye Gobena

ABSTRACT

Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium parvum are ubiquitous protozoan parasites that affect humans, domestic animals and wildlife throughout the world and have been highlighted as significant waterborne parasitic pathogens. The present study was conducted to assess the prevalence of the two parasitic among communities using protected and unprotected water sources in three rural sites (Legedini, Adada and Legebira) in Dire-Dawa, Eastern Ethiopia from February 2011 to May2011. A total of 90 water samples from five types of water sources were collected and parasitological water quality parameters were analysized based on United State Environmental Protection Agency. Water analysis demonstrated that all water sources were contaminated by pathogenic parasites. The mean concentration of Giardia lamblia cyst and Cryptosporidium oocyst ranges from 0 to 5.6 and 0 to 6.5, respectively. In all samples, parasitic counts were above the recommended limit of WHO for drinking water quality, 0cyst/L or 0oocyst/L for parasitic whereas about 83.34% of the water samples in the three selected PAs had high risk of microbiological water quality parameters. High concentration of microbiological indicators in all water sources of this study area suggested that the presence of pathogenic organisms which constitute a threat to anyone consuming or in contact with these waters. This is due to lack of good water treatment, lack of feasible disinfection, improper water handling practices and lack of the protection of the water sources. Consequently, protection of water sources accompanied by sanitation and hygiene promotion programs can improve the water quality of rural water sources, where disinfection is not feasible. Proper and basic sanitation, are of prime importance to deliver safe drinking water in the study site.

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