Subject: Researchers investigating Pocomoke health risk
TITLE: The Region; ATLANTIC COAST; Maryland joins search for mysterious microbe
BYLINE: Compiled from staff and wire reports
EST. PAGES: 1
DATE: 08/06/97
DOCID: MRNS19919
SOURCE: Morning Star - Wilmington, N.C.; MRNS
SECTION: Local/Regional; PAGE: 2B
(Copyright 1997)
A team of researchers will study the potential health risks
to people who have come in contact with the waters of the lower
Pocomoke River, Maryland's top health official said Tuesday.
Dr. Martin Wasserman, secretary of the state Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, said personnel from Johns Hopkins Hospital and the University of Maryland Medical Center will review the symptoms of watermen and residents who have had the most exposure to the Pocomoke near Shelltown.
That part of the river has been the subject of intense study
by the Department of Natural Resources after watermen found fish
last fall and this spring covered with sores and lesions.
Several watermen plying the Pocomoke have complained of health
problems, and a water-skier remained hospitalized Tuesday in Crisfield
after suffering from headaches and some two dozen lesions on his
lower body.
Dr. Wasserman said the river will remain open until sufficient
evidence is collected to indicate health problems are being caused
by exposure to the water - which may contain Pfiesteria piscicida,
a microorganism blamed for the death of millions of fish in North
Carolina.
"When the criteria are met, we'll put an advisory out,"
Dr. Wasserman said. "We don't see a need today."
During a forum this weekend in Salisbury, scientists said while
Pfiesteria may be causing the fish lesions, the cause could also
be reduced salinity or higher acidity of the water.
There is no firm evidence connecting Pfiesteria with human
health problems, but North Carolina lab researchers working with
the organism said they suffered short-term memory loss and headaches.
Since last fall, some watermen have said they had flu-like
symptoms and respiratory ailments and developed sores.
On Sunday, James Aravanis, 23, of Pocomoke City, was admitted to McCready Memorial Hospital in Crisfield suffering from a severe headache and several lesions or rashes. He developed the symptoms shortly after water-skiing on the Pocomoke River the previous Sunday.
Mr. Aravanis' condition was improving Tuesday.
DESCRIPTORS: Local/State
OTHER TERMS: Maryland; Pocomoke River; water pollution; pfiesteria