Brain Eating Bacteria Possibly Contracted at Waco Surf Resort
News 10 is reporting that officials are running tests on the water at the BSR Cable Park's Surf Resort in Waco for a possible brain-eating bacteria.
Officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are concerned after a visitor to the park contracted a brain-eating amoeba called Naegleria fowleri.
The visitor was attending the park from out of state and contracted the virus after swimming in the water at BSR.
Kelly Craine, Waco-McLennan County Public Health District spokesperson said, “The CDC collected water samples and are currently investigating to find the source. We hope to have results by the end of the week.”
BSR Cable Park's Surf Resort voluntarily closed its doors Friday so that no other guests could have the possibility of contracting the brain-eating bacteria
According to the CDC, "Naegleria fowleri usually infects people when contaminated water enters the body through the nose. Once the ameba enters the nose, it travels to the brain where it causes PAM, which is usually fatal. Infection typically occurs when people go swimming or diving in warm freshwater places, like lakes and rivers. In very rare instances, Naegleria infections may also occur when contaminated water from other sources (such as inadequately chlorinated swimming pool water or heated and contaminated tap water) enters the nose. You cannot get infected from swallowing water contaminated with Naegleria."
The Baylor Wakeboarding club team has a scheduled tournament at BSR next week.