Crater Lake Visitors Still Feel Effects
The Modesto Bee and News-Herald
Modesto, California
July 24, 1975
Nearly a month after visiting Crater Lake National Park in Oregon, several
Modeslans still are feeling the effects of illness caused by drinking polluted
water. However, no serious complications have developed.
Eighty members of the First Baptist Church college-age choir and their
chaperones, along with several local families, visited the park the first week
in July before the pollution was discovered.
Upon returning home, several became ill with nausea and vomiting, followed by
cramps and diarrhea with chills and headaches. The illness has lingering
symptoms.
Mrs. W. C. (Bud) LaCore, whose daughter is a member of the choir, said
several members are still suffering some discomfort. She added they have to be
careful what they eat, to avoid recurrence of the symptoms, but no major
problems have developed.
Walter Person, who visited the park with his wife, said he still feels "a
little bit" of the symptoms and is lethargic, but is recovering.
The Robert Stewart family of Modesto were among the season's first visitors
at the park, stopping there June 16, the second day the park was open. Stewart
said the family received gamma globulin shots against the possibility of
hepatitis, mainly for "peace of mind" because officials do not believe the water
was polluted until after the family's visit.
The Persons and members of the choir also had gamma globulin shots after
learning about the pollution problem a week after visiting the park.
Crater Lake National Park has been closed since July 11. Heavy doses of
chlorine have been added to the water supply in an effort to purify it.
No date has been set for the reopening of the park.
