The deadly amoeba infection....

[des1954]

...is real!!!

The third death in 4 months was confirmed in my county (Polk) here in Florida. The amoeba infection claimed the life of a 10 year old boy today. He was swimming at a public beach near my home 1 month ago and the county M.E. estimated that's when he was infected.

There were 2 previous deaths, one in Hernando County & one Orange County (Orlando) earlier this summer.

Most, if not all freshwater lakes in Florida, and other Gulf Coast states harbor the amoeba. They remain dormant until the water temperature hits 80 degrees, which is very common in the shallow, freshwater lakes in Florida.

What happens is this....the water hits 80 degrees which brings the amoeba out of hibernation. People and aquatic life stir up the lake bottom which releases the amoeba into the water. People swimming in the infested water and who actually submerse their head under water subject the nasal passages to the amoeba. The amoeba then penetrate the thin nasal membrane & enter the brain, where they cause an infection in the brain amounting to encephalitis. While this is rare, about as rare as getting encephalitis from a mosquito bite, it can and does happen.

Is this why there is no swimming in Bay Lake? Good possibility. While I have never gone water skiing at the CR, I would love to see a copy of the disclaimer you have to sign in order to go water skiing or parasailing. I'd be willing to bet that somewhere in the "legal-ese" it has something about warm water amoebas (or is it amoebi). IIRC, the triathalon at the Fort is held when the water temp is most likely below 80 degrees & the amoeba (or is it amoebi) go back into hibernation.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

I agree with you, Deb. Considering the amount of legal info on the forms you have to sign when registering at the campground, I am sure Disney lawyers have covered this on the other activities on the lake. Realistically, nobody reads the entire form, and if they do, they don't understand it anyway. Kind of like informed consent for surgery. The problem with this amoeba is very real. I find it unbelievable that people will poo poo this because it may interfere with something they want to do, but will get bent out of shape over things like the possibility of snakes in the campground.

 

[Gatordad]

I can't believe they let snakes in the campground.... That's it, I'm calling my local politician, or at the very least rabbi or crossing guard.

 

[darkeraven]

When I was in the campground in August (2009) I saw some kids jumping and diving into the lake from where the boat docks.

 

[des1954]

Well...it's official. The State of Florida Health Department today advised against swimming in any freshwater in the state. Any public beaches on lakes have been officially closed. I wonder what that will do to the waterskiing and parasailing on Bay Lake? I wonder if they will continue to offer these activities to unsuspecting tourists??? The state can close the county & state public beaches, but Bay Lake is private property. Hmmmmmm.....we'll see.

 

[PaPa Doc]

if'n there/s mor'n one amoeba, there/s a bunch of amoebae.
If'n there's an infection, it's amoebic.

 

[Jasperann]

I agree with you, Deb. Considering the amount of legal info on the forms you have to sign when registering at the campground, I am sure Disney lawyers have covered this on the other activities on the lake. Realistically, nobody reads the entire form, and if they do, they don't understand it anyway. Kind of like informed consent for surgery. The problem with this amoeba is very real. I find it unbelievable that people will poo poo this because it may interfere with something they want to do, but will get bent out of shape over things like the possibility of snakes in the campground.

~ Don't tell my mom that she or she will never come see us one of the days we are there. (When I was little she had our camp packed up in a matter of minutes when a snake, a gardener snake most likely, slithered under her bathroom stall, at one of the campgrounds around here) She is already shocked that we camped there when I was a kid and there were alligators in the water and she never even knew... *scratches head* Not really sure how she didn't know? It is Florida and they are every where..

 

[des1954]

if'n there/s mor'n one amoeba, there/s a bunch of amoebae.
If'n there's an infection, it's amoebic.

Thank you for the clarification!! I didn't know if the plural was the same as the singular. Now, please tell the news stations. I believe you - but not NBC.

 

[PaPa Doc]

I don't worry if the Press can't spell, but if it's your doctor, he/she might have studied medicine at Wikipedia U School of Internet Medicine - then, be afraid, be very afraid....

 

[shirley 38]

Snakes, gators, otters, armidillos, deer, birds, fish, mosquitos, etc.
Hey Guys, IT'S DISNEY
All audio-animatronics !!!!!!!!!