brain eating Amoebas in water parks

[old lady]

A teen agers gets an amoeba from a water park near Miami Florida. Has this happened to the Disney water parks or others in the Orlando area or central area?

 

[DVC California]

Wow, that caught me off guard so I googled and found this report:

Health officials: Girl likely got "brain-eating" amoeba from water park

The Naegleria fowleri amoeba, which causes the infection, is commonly found in freshwater and soil. If the amoeba enters the through the nose, the microbe can cause an infection which causes the brain tissue to swell (meningitis), eventually leading to death. This is why lake swimmers and divers are more vulnerable. You cannot be infected with Naegleria fowleri if you drink water that contains the microbe or if you are swimming in a properly cleaned, maintained and disinfected pool.

Hopefully, Disney's pools and water parks are properly and routinely cleaned.

 

[HopperFan]

The boy is in a Miami hospital but he contracted the parasite in a fresh water channel by his home. There was a girl recently that contracted it in Arkansas in a "water park" but it's not a traditional water park, it was a lake fed by a natural spring. The stories may have gotten mixed up some because I believe the doctors are conversing with each other.

The parasite is a huge problem, particularly in Florida because it thrives in warm fresh water. The main reason for not swimming in lakes at Disney is because this parasite could be living in the most shallow of water where you walk into the lakes or young children would play and splash, allowing water to enter the nose or ears. I wouldn't even let my kids play close to the lakes edges.

I seem to remember it happened in Orlando at a ski park, again fresh water, not a water park. It happens every few years and questions come up. You have nothing to worry about in the Disney waterparks or pools, they are chemically treated and controlled "tap" water.

http://www.local10.com/thats-life/h...eba/-/1717022/21478508/-/gql1byz/-/index.html

 

[spiceycat]

the water park at FW - River County was closed because of this - several years ago.

the other 2 water parks - Blizzard beach and TL are treated.

 

[RebelSoul]

the water park at FW - River County was closed because of this - several years ago.

the other 2 water parks - Blizzard beach and TL are treated.

As a lover of all things related to microbiology, would you mind posting the article where you saw this? TIA.

 

[Luvchefmic]

As a lover of all things related to microbiology, would you mind posting the article where you saw this? TIA.

I believe River Country was closed because the draw was TL & BB not because of any amoebas

 

[spiceycat]

As a lover of all things related to microbiology, would you mind posting the article where you saw this? TIA.

can't - it was long, long ago - when they closed it.

 

[spiceycat]

I believe River Country was closed because the draw was TL & BB not because of any amoebas

no it was the only one getting water directly (thru filters) from the lakes.

RC was so very, very different from tl & bb that really don't think that was a problem.

much more lay back. and much closer to the hotels/campground - before Disney started to expand.

 

[Luvchefmic]

no it was the only one getting water directly (thru filters) from the lakes.

RC was so very, very different from tl & bb that really don't think that was a problem.

much more lay back. and much closer to the hotels/campground - before Disney started to expand.

I meant the draw/attraction to the other water parks for the guests, not the " draw" meaning where the water came from..I think thats what you're saying

Anyway, yes I am very familiar with RC spent many years only going to FW when we came down on vacation

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

As a lover of all things related to microbiology, would you mind posting the article where you saw this? TIA.

This link gives some info:

http://www.yesterland.com/rivercountry.html

 

[Luvchefmic]

This link gives some info:

http://www.yesterland.com/rivercountry.html

IMHO I take with a pound of salt ( not just a grain ) anything on the internet
its all opinions made to look like a fact I do trust the official disney park blog when it comes to things I want to know but that's about it

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

IMHO I take with a pound of salt ( not just a grain ) anything on the internet
its all opinions made to look like a fact I do trust the official disney park blog when it comes to things I want to know but that's about it

The link was provided in reference to RebelSoul's request, not as a response to your recent posts.

 

[Luvchefmic]

The link was provided in reference to RebelSoul's request, not as a response to your recent posts.

I understand that I was giving my opinion as I clicked on it too

 

[aleksandr]

I believe River Country was closed because the draw was TL & BB not because of any amoebas

I don't think there was ever an official statement as to why RC never re-opened, was there? I know there was the statement attributed to a Disney spokesperson that said the park could re-open in the future given enough demand.

But essentially, you are correct. RC did not close due to brain-eating amoebas. The verified death from the amoeba at RC occurred in 1980, 21 years prior to the park closing.

 

[Lewisc]

Disney lost a lot of business after 9-11. Discounts won't help if people are afraid to fly.The second half of POP was left partially built. One resort was temporarily closed. My understanding is part of other resorts were closed. River Country was closed. Best guess is Disney found the other two water parks could more then handle the demand. No reason to spend the money to reopen RC.