In addition, establishing any kind of comparison
with observed data is not possible for Cryptosporidium,
due to the lack of information on the extent of
cryptosporidiosis acquired within Norway. In the case
of giardiosis, a mean of 8.5 cases per 100,000
population was reported between 1999 and 2002
(Folkehelseinstituttet, 2002). This is just over 50% of
the number of cases calculated in this risk assessment
(22 cases of giardiosis per 100,000 population).
Although Giardia infections are almost certainly
under-reported in Norway, these results suggest that
if the Giardia cysts on the sprouts are indeed viable
and infectious to humans, then consumption of
sprouts may be a significant source of this infection
in Norway