Family wants fungus test at theme park

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CENTRAL FLORIDA & STATE THE AREA IN BRIEF

Family wants fungus test at theme park

Posted September 15, 2005

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orange/orl-

mcfbriefs15_305sep15,0,717708.story?coll=orl-news-headlines-orange

ORLANDO -- The family of a boy who fell ill and suffered brain

damage after visiting Discovery Cove at SeaWorld Orlando is

petitioning a judge to allow them into the theme park to conduct

tests on whether a disease-causing fungus is present on the

property, an attorney in the case said Wednesday.

Didier, now 12, of Minnesota had been feeding birds in the

park's aviary before he became sick with an illness that led to

swelling in his brain, said , an Orlando attorney

representing his family. The fungus that causes the illness is

frequently found among birds, said.

Depending on the results of the tests, 's family may

decide to sue the park, he said.

" Guest safety is of the utmost importance to us, and we have had no

related issues with the hundreds of thousands of guests who visit

our park every year, " said a prepared statement from Brad s,

vice president of zoological operations for Busch Entertainment Corp.

was 11 when he visited the park.

Willoughby no, Colarossi, Dave Weber, April Hunt and

son of the Sentinel staff contributed to this report.

Material from the St. sburg Times also was used.