VIDEO
Health department investigates Disney's 'Wild
Africa Trek'
LAKE BUENA VISTA,
Fla. -
The Orange
County Health Department is investigating Walt Disney World's "Wild Africa Trek"
experience after several dozen parkgoers became ill.
Orange County
Health Department spokesman Dain Weister confirmed with Local 6 that the
majority of the illnesses, described as a stomach bug, were reported in June.
Since the illness was first reported in early June, more cases continued to
appear.Symptoms were nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and
in some cases vomiting, Weister said. Symptoms usually lasted two to five days.
Two people felt sick ..... He wrote that he and two friends
went on the tour and all -- from "3 separate households" -- were sick within 24
hours...
"...It is
difficult for epidemiologists to track down the specific source," said Wiester.
"A lot of times, they don't actually find a source."
It's also a
mystery how the outbreak was able to spread from person to person. The trek
features VIP access to crocodiles, hippos and exotic animals in Disney's Animal
Kingdom through a guided tour and a tasting of African-inspired foods on a
savannah. Weister confirmed none of the guests on the tour touch animals, and so
officials have ruled out animal-to-human transmissions. While some guests
thought it was a food-borne illness, that's also still unclear.
"The health
department also did inspections - two different inspections - of the restaurant
that provides food to that tour. No problems were found whatsoever," said
Weister.
