If dogs and cats are crapping in sand pits then there are sure to be
Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts present.
Have a look at the following reference.
Grimason,AM; Smith,HV; Parker,JFW; Jackson,MH; Smith,PG;
Girdwood,RWA (1993): Occurrence of giardia sp cysts and
cryptosporidium sp oocysts in feces from public parks in the
west of scotland. Epidemiol. Infect. 110(3, Jun), 641-645.
(Stobhill Gen Hosp, Scottish Parasite Diagnost Lab,
Glasgow G21 3Uw, Scotland . Stobhill Gen Hosp, Scottish
Parasite Diagnost Lab, Glasgow G21 3Uw, Scotland. Univ
Strathclyde, Div Environm Hlth, Glasgow G4 0Ng, Scotland)
<One hundred faecal specimens, randomly collected
from various locations within seven public parks in the west
of Scotland, were examined for the presence of Giardia sp.
cysts and Cryptosporidium sp. oocysts. Eleven percent of
samples contained Giardia sp. cysts and 1 % contained
Cryptosporidium sp. oocysts. Occurrence data from individual
parks varied from 0 to 40 % for Giardia and 0 to 2.4 % for
Cryptosporidium. The occurrence of parasitic organisms in
public parks, especially in the vicinity of children's
playing areas is a matter of concern for public health
officials and regulators of leisure and recreation
amenities.>
Hope this helps,
_______________________________________________
Graham Vesey
Australian Environmental Flow Cytometry Group
School of Biological Sciences, .-.--:_:\
Macquarie University, _/ \
Sydney, : AEFCG |
Australia NSW 2109. \_ /
Tel- 612 850 8150 '-''''\__/
Fax- 612 850 8174 V
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