I just started reading this thread and I remember that somewhere way back
there (maybe a few months ago) I mentioned that the colony at the South Jetty
probably proposed a health hazard. Things like dysentery, cholera, etc.
Seems that they have a bit of Shigella (causative agent for a form of
dysentery). Nasty stuff, and one of the primary causes of infant mortality
in third world countries.
Now here's the question that popped into my mind. Assuming the colony goes
away, and a general cleanup is effected (removal of dead vehicles, old tires,
etc.) How long before it's safe to take one's family down there and play on
the beach? Bacteria don't need a lot, and many of them can go dormant and
survive for years under very harsh conditions. I understand there is an
island near England where Anthrax tests were done around the time of World
War II and it's still not habitable.
Have these people despoiled the place for an indefinate period through their
poor hygene?
Nature has a way of purifying things but the Shigella microbe is part of
nature as well as otters and albatrosses. I wonder if there is a public
health official who can comment on this.
Tony
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