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Encephalitis alert leads Disney World to curtail activities
August 27, 1997
Web posted at: 2:24 p.m. EDT (1824 GMT)ORLANDO, Florida (CNN) -- Walt Disney World has shortened its operating hours and canceled some evening events because of an encephalitis alert in central Florida.
"We are concerned about the safety of our guests and our cast members," a spokeswoman for the theme park said.
She said activities would remain curtailed until the alert -- issued on Monday in Orange County -- is lifted.
Two Brevard County residents -- a 12-year-old boy and a 27-year-old man -- have been tested for St. Louis encephalitis, apparently the first two suspected cases of the virus involving Floridians this year.
"We have two suspected cases, not confirmed cases," emphasized Dr. Jahangir Moini, the county's epidemiologist.
Encephalitis is a virus that causes flu-like symptoms that can lead to coma, and even death.
The virus has been has been found this summer in 40 chickens in Brevard, Charlotte, Hendry, Indian River, Lee, Martin, Orange and Palm Beach counties.
The chickens are kept in wire cages at rural homes and other places around the state where mosquitoes carrying the virus might thrive.
- Consumer News: Fitness and Health
Related sites:
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- Acute Viral Encephalitis; Aseptic Encephalitis -- Descriiption and prevention information.
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