Re: Skin rash from Deep Creek H.S.

sam2007 asked about a very real and potentially serious ailment. I have no way of knowing if his rashes were caused by the microscopic Protozoa in which the county health authorities have found at Deep Creek Hot Springs. However, some types of Protozoa do create rashes as it gets into the blood supply. Protozoa is very common and it does take millions of lives each year throughout the world. Many billions of lives over the ages. It is poor and insensitive judgment for anyone to laugh it off as "itchy bugs."

There are about 55K species of Protozoa; many of which are deadly to humans. Different species attack the human body differently. Some slowly attack the heart, lungs, other body organs or the nerves.

I posted my earlier response to alert sam2007 to the Protozoa threat. If he or his friends start to develop other symptoms, they all need to seek immediate medical attention. There are many websites on the Internet about Protozoa if one wants to learn more.

Wizard may be on to something with his statement "seems to be mostly associated with the Womb ( biggest pool )." The depth of that pool could be a breeding ground for Protozoa. Even the flooding rains would not flush it out as some microscopic Protozoa will adhere to rocks; rather, the flooding in of debris may have actually introduced additional nutrients for the expansion of Protozoa; and floods may have introduced additional species of Protozoa.

I won't go further into what my county contact informed me was suspected as leading to the contamination of D.C.H.S. as my earlier disclosure only lead to a childish rebuttal. Such an attitude by users is what may eventually lead to the pools being closed.

As to the posting of road signs, one needs to understand that the county just doesn't stick up signs. First, an assigned group investigates as to whether there is a serious enough problem. If it involves a "blind curve" they will consider the possibility of a road realignment and/or slight bankment or actual pavement. In other words, a call for safety signage does draw attention and the more attention it draws can equate to vast improvements, which creates easier access and crowds to Deep Creek. More People + Deep Creek = Closure! (Unless the Protozoa leads to a closure first.)