murrieta resident wrote on Oct 6, 2007 11:27 AM:well, since her case IS unsolved, sample tissues should still be available at the lab (according to the statement above). Sounds to me like Mr. Franchville has something to hide or simply doesn't care. You deserve answers so take this to the highest level possible.

Vicky ... wrote on Oct 6, 2007 12:31 PM:In my opinion no one should be swimming in Lake Elsinore. To purify waste water is no easy feat, chemicals and increased levels of nutrients are present post treatment. More important people must realize miles and miles of run off flow back into the lake. The run off from the city flows into the lake. Use your imagination any substance thats placed in the run off paint chemicals the emptying of an RV'S porta pottie eventually flows into the lake. I wish people were more informed. If you have a cut thats an entry way for pathogens as well as your mucous membranes which include your eyes and mouth. Your gums are a direct entry to your blood stream. Everyone protect yourselves and your children.

smithson wrote on Oct 6, 2007 3:16 PM:You're right, Vicky. What the EVMWD doesn't tell anyone is that the treatment of the sewage does NOT remove toxic chemicals and poisons that go down household drains, only bacteria using the purple light. As water evaporates from the lake the chemicals remain, creating an ever thickening concentration. Phil Williams should try this experiment: Pour a can of Drano into a bowl. Expose to ultraviolet light. Place face into bowl. Ooops, that's gotta hurt!

concerned wrote on Oct 6, 2007 6:37 PM:In the article Franchville states ' "there is no evidence showing that her death is linked to thelake water. There is alot of circumstantial evidence enough that a thourough investigation should be done. Tissue samples and lake sediment should be checked they may give definitive results. The ameba enters through the nose, with enough force of inhalation it will attach to the olfactory nerve and work its way to the brain. 2.She rode her jet ski the water spray is inhaled esp. when falling off. 3.This ameba thrives in water where thermal energy is expelled. EVMWD does expell treated waste water. 5. She had over 6 of the known symptoms in the correct sequence. I agree with first comment take it to the highest level. My heart goes out to the family.

whatever wrote on Oct 7, 2007 10:11 AM:The test to determine if Nicole Hedberg died of the rare meningitis caused by the ameoba NAGELERIA FOWLERI has to be ordered and sent out.SO WHAT! When a 25 year old has symptoms almost identical to NAGELERIA FOWLERI and dies mysteriously which is rare I believe the send out test definitely should have been done. Mr. Franchville chose not to. I dont think what Mrs. Cole director of disease control in riverside county states is a responsible statement. She sees no need for immediate concern. Our officials should be concerned. When this girl died a year ago mysteriously there should have been great concern and testing during the intense heat. Why didn't lake bottom sediment where this ameoba lives and transforms to a flagellate get tested. If this happens again those who did nothing, lets just say I would not want to be them because I would feel bad. The Lake bottom where the Ameoba lives was stired up by the jet ski all the conditions for aquiring this pathogen and her symptoms were typical.

Quit your whining wrote on Oct 7, 2007 9:53 PM:Why are you blaming Franchville? It said he is the spokesman for the Coroners Office. I didn't read anywhere in the article where it said Dr. Franchville.

vic wrote on Oct 8, 2007 12:15 AM:Someone should be whining, atleast the person writing cares. He or she made the mistake of assuming a person of importance was making the statement in the paper, afterall, this involves a death. why didn't the coroner order the test to determine if this young girl had this rare ameoba? The spokes person states their is no evidence linking this to lake water. As the above comment correctly points out the ameoba lives in the shallow lake bottom, So testing would come from the layers of lake bottom not water. Franchville states the ameoba is less common than lightning striking so coroners and physcians dont order the test because its so rare. Does he understand what he's stating he builds an even stronger case as to why this test should've been ordered. What may have happened to this girl is even rarer than lightning striking, the symptoms and circumstances in the article in my opinion indicate it could be naegleria. Im not saying this is Mrs Bagleys opinion but in a very clever way this is pointed out she did an excellent job covering this tragedy.-

Disgusted! wrote on Oct 8, 2007 8:45 AM:This is incredible that a death has taken place and the cause of her death is still unresolved or that it is even being debated if this virus could have caused her death. We can put a man on the moon but no one can take some samples from a Lake that is totally accessible at any time to see if the "Virus" is active? So the tests are done and they come back negative. Isn't that what it should be? I personally would want it to be negative. This way for those that do use that lake they can know for sure. I am a boat owner and have never taken my boat to that lake. Even if it does come back negative for the virus. It is disgusting to even look at. I think that no one wants to know the answer since there would be a "Major Law Suite". Well the longer it takes for someone to find out the truth is only taking a chance that more incidents can happen. Where is the human compasion? Let's go spend billions of dollars and sacrifice countless life's for a war in someone's else's country. Yes we have to save other's. Why doesn't this country seem to take care of it's own people? This issue is a state/government issue that is being ignored. There is no way they don't know what deadly things are coming from a lake that is poluted! People need to stop excepting that they have no control to get answers. The community is the one that places people in their job positions that are ignoring what can help find out the truth. So if you put them in you can take them out and replace them with someone that has the guts and the human compassion to find the answers. There is no way this family should not have the answers they need!-

Linn wrote on Oct 8, 2007 1:57 PM:I dont know of any city officials or water board members that swim or allow their kids to swim in Lake Elsinore. In fact I would be willing to bet they dont let their children near the water. I know of a few that go out on boats, but armed with the information they know about the lake, you can bet their very very careful. Signs should be posted that state when lake levels are low the lake is stocked with treated reclamation water and contaminents could be possible from run off water. Let the people city government took an oath to protect decide if they want to take a risk, afterall the city government is forwarned with all the information. Atleast post signs if their going to allow body contact its better than doing nothing or the right thing which in my opinion is SWIMMING SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED IN LAKE ELSINORE. I cant even imagine the grief and frustration the family is continuing to go through to this day. Those who make comments should be careful use good sense and have I agree some human compassion because this family may read them.

russian roulette wrote on Oct 10, 2007 12:24 AM:Barbara Cole states Lake Elsinore is not known to harbor nageleria so their is no reason for concern. If checked a year ago ...it may have been discovered this pathogen is present. Ofcourse its not known, we've never seen a death so had no reason to check for it. The director of disease control didn't feel it was important to check for this rare organism last year. The worst thing that could happen which is death happened. What does it take 2,3,4, deaths. Basically even now what Mrs cole is saying is their is no need to worry. If this happened to her daughter or grand child would she have that attitude. We count on people like Mrs Cole to make the correct judgements that ensure protection for our loved ones. Now its left to chance and it may happen again. This organism is an extremaphobe it makes sense it could live in very hot water under difficult circumstances. If it was present in the lake bottom last year, chances are it will be there next summer. Inspite of what Mrs. Cole says and some people will believe her and place themselves in harms way, there is a reason to worry because this could happen again.-

ashamed wrote on Oct 10, 2007 2:16 PM:Mrs Coles comment is exactly what the city and water board had hoped for. Now they can close their eyes and give the go ahead to swim boat jet ski and wake board. Im ashamed to live in a city with such selfish officials. Im sure your nasty comments to me will be move find your autopia and let me know when you do. Nope sorry Im not going anywhere because someone needs to let anyone and everyone know what this city is up to so more people dont die.

Kathleen wrote on Oct 11, 2007 6:46 PM:I don't know what's going on in the medical field that so many mistakes are being made! My heart goes out to Nicole's family and her fiance John, on the loss of their loved one! So many questions unanswered about her death, so unnecessary, making it even more difficult for them! Medical field: WAKE UP AND DO YOUR JOB RIGHT!