"In both situations, water of 100 degrees F originated in deep subterranean springs. In our case vegetation around the mineral pool was sparse, but the water had abundant moss and algae on the rock enclosing it. Weekend activities at his desert spring are described as crowded with young men and women bathing nude. Increased environmental CO2 and bacteria facilitate the excystment and survival of Naegleria gruberi. As a result, crowded conditions at the mineral pool may have enhanced the density of pathogens during the time our patient swam. Why others were not similarly afflicted with the disease remains unclear."
I'll take this as another reason to visit DCHS on quiet week-days, and regardless of the mention of nude, take it as another exhortation to leave the bathing suits out of the hot springs! They are dirty and contribute to the bacteria, right? Hot springs are nude for a reason....!
More seriously, an East Coast friend told me she was sick for a long period of time and only after exhaustive testing and the involvement of the CDC, was she diagnosed with Valley Fever. She had camped with friends in Joshua Tree and the CDC attributed her case to that visit. And there goes the Joshua tree camping trip I had almost convinced my wife to come with me on.....!