In a follow-up to a report two weeks ago about a New Jersey man who was reportedly infected by the “brain-eating amoeba”, Naegleria fowleri while surfing in a wave pool at BSR Cable Park’s Surf Resort in Waco, Texas, the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District (WMCPHD) reported Friday that results of environmental sampling conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found evidence of Naegleria fowleri at the BSR Cable Park and Surf Resort (BSR).

brain eating amoeba
Naegleria fowleri
Image/CDC

The report states N. fowleri was identified in the Cable Park but not specifically found in the Surf Resort, Lazy River, or the Royal Flush on the day of sampling. Although the N. fowleri was not detected in the Surf Resort, Lazy River, or the Royal Flush, the presence of fecal indicator organisms, high turbidity, low free chlorine levels, and other ameba that occur along with N. fowleri indicate conditions favorable for N. fowleri growth.

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The BSR water venues known as the Surf Resort, Lazy River, and the Royal Flush are currently closed and will not re-open without consultation with the WMCPHD and not before all health and safety issues have been addressed and mitigated appropriately. The Cable Park may remain open to the general public because the risk of exposure to N. fowleri is considered the same as any other natural bodies of freshwater and is not amenable to treatment.  WMCPHD is working with the owner who is consulting with water treatment experts to evaluate the situation and develop a comprehensive water quality management plan to include current regulatory requirements.