Teenager Recovering From Injury on Weiss Lake

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NEWS RELEASE

According to Cherokee County Emergency Management Agency Director Shawn Rogers, his office was notified about several stories circulating on social media in reference to a fifteen year old who had been hospitalized due to contracting a bacterial infection while visiting Weiss Lake.

Director Rogers stated he was contacted over the weekend by concerned citizens who saw the post on Facebook and found it alarming. Rogers stated he spoke with the father of the teen on Monday and obtained details about what took place. The father stated last Saturday (April 29th, 2017) that they were visiting a river lot in the Wildwood Cove area of Cherokee County, which is located north of Cedar Bluff at the Alabama/Georgia state line, and while visiting the river lot the fifteen year old was walking the river bank with his feet submerged in the water when something caught the top of his foot and cut it open. He then had to continue walking in the water in order to make it back to the residence to get help. The father carried him to an area hospital where the wound was treated.

The next morning the fifteen year old woke up running a fever, so his father carried him back to the hospital.

It was later determined he had contracted an Aeromonas type bacterial infection.

According to the father, at this point the bacteria is gone and doctors are now working to repair the wound on his foot.

Rogers wants to remind everyone who lives around, and visits Weiss Lake, that the lake is a fresh water lake that is stocked with thousands of fish so it’s going to contain bacteria and there is nothing that can be done to rid the lake of the bacteria.  Weiss Lake is safe to visit, fish, and swim in, but you have to do so with caution. Never get in the lake if you have an open wound and never get in the lake if you have a wound that is bandaged because the water and bacteria will soak into the bandage and your bandaged wound can still get infected. The lake also contains obstacles underwater that can injure you so anytime you’re in the lake make sure your extra careful to avoid injury.

Rogers stated the Alabama Department of Public Health nor the Center for Disease Control was notified of this incident. 

He further stresses there is no reason to panic or be alarmed; just be mindful of the dangers that exist while you’re in and around Weiss Lake.

 

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