Update July 5th: Because of several callous remarks in our comments section by (mainly) Myrtle Beach area locals concerned about money issues above and beyond public safety, we have removed the names of the family members in this article.
North Myrtle Beach Area child swimmer rushed to the emergency room
Today, MyrtleBeachSC.com was given reports on the health of a Myrtle Beach area child swimmer rushed to the emergency room Friday July 1st. The daughter of a Murrells Inlet area local resident was rushed to the emergency room Friday morning after swimming in bacteria filled contaminated ocean water in North Myrtle Beach this past Thursday. Thursday was the first day of the Myrtle Beach area July 4th Holiday weekend.
The child’s mother posted the following on her own Facebook page: “I really didn’t want to put anything on fb, but I feel I need to share this with others.
Please parents be aware of the bacteria in the beach water this summer! And we were at NMB, not Myrtle Beach! We thought NMB was the safest area. We were at the beach Thursday and by that night her eyes were sensitive to light and she couldn’t even open them, and the fever started. All Friday morning she was throwing up with a fever that would not break (fevers make her vomit). So I was able to get her in to her dr. (Inlet pediatrics are amazing!!!). Her eyes were only showing red rings around them with a horrible headache. Within 1hr the left eye was so swollen it was completely shut and the other was starting to do the same. Thank God we got her to the ER in time. Her dr. thinks the beach water may have caused the orbital cellulitis! If we have not taken her to dr. She could have gone blind. Her WBC (19) was too high to send her home, so she was admitted Friday. Also, Her heart rate was staying around 162-185. Please please be cautious of beach and public pools/spas! Waccamaw hospital have been terrific, their nurses and staff rock! Dr. D is the best, but thanking my Heavenly Father for taking the wheel and giving the dr. The knowledge to help our precious girl. Thank you all for the prayers and text!!! We appreciate them all. ??
Please share as this needs to be made aware!
The post had 7,200 shares by 7 p.m. on July 4th.
Earlier this year, Myrtle Beach Area Chamber C.E.O. Brad Dean spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxpayer funded T.V. and internet ads telling visiting tourists that all Grand Strand beaches were safe.
In March, the Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce C.E.O. Brad Dean said he would spend “whatever it takes” in taxpayer dollars to inform tourists that Grand Strand beaches were safe. Brad Dean, also called news articles posted by MyrtleBeachSC.com erroneous misinformation. The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce territory runs from Little River, S.C. to Garden City Beach, S.C. This area, called the Grand Strand, had reports from DHEC that now show 8 swash areas in Myrtle Beach especially risky to swim in after rain events.
DHEC data consistently showed North Myrtle Beach as safer for ocean bacteria contamination statistically than Myrtle Beach. Statistics aside, it is clear there are now concerns all along our coast.
While this event did happen in North Myrtle Beach and not Myrtle Beach, locals consider this simply a coincidence. MyrtleBeachSC.com has received, as of the July 4th weekend, now 5 reported cases of bacteria poisoning inside the city of Myrtle Beach. These infections ran from minor rashes to flu like symptoms, but none were as severe as this one, however.
It is clear that county officials, city-wide officials across the grand strand, and the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce are playing Russian Roulette with the health of our locals and visiting guests.
Both the Chamber and local municipalities are backed by the support of local property managers (Hotel Groups). Local corporate media has largely also acted as defender in chief to the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce position that beach waters are safe. Corporate media outlets, Media General (WBTW), Raycom (WMBFnews), and Sinclair (WPDE) are all on the take in the millions from the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. Each has spread messages throughout their national networks broadcasting and protecting the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber message.
ALL of those listed above refuse to be held accountable to the Myrtle Beach area’s 15 million tourists.
In fact, many have worked in concert to collectively conceal this public health issue.
Editors Note: Many have commented on this article about the few (6) reports of health issues this weekend. Please note: The Health Department is quick to close any restaurant with issues of public safety. Ask Chipotle. Why is it that so many of us are willing to give local municipalities a pass concerning those same health safety issues. Where are those voices calling local governments into accountability? Anyone?
DHEC READINGS TAKEN AT BRIARCLIFFE ACRES ON JUNE 29th
Briarcliffe is just before NMB. 104 is considered safe. Water was 18 times above safe.
