Tennessee Aquarium Sued Over Child’s Bacterial Infection

The parents of a child who developed a bacterial infection after petting stingrays and sharks at Chattanooga’s Tennessee Aquarium has filed a federal lawsuit seeking $2.4 million.

Spokesman Thom Benson said that aquarium officials do not believe the aquarium was responsible for the boy’s condition. He said five water tests after the boy’s November visit showed no trace of the bacteria.

According to the lawsuit, the boy had to undergo multiple surgeries over several weeks after he contracted fish-handler’s disease. The suit was filed filed in U.S. District Court in Chattanooga

Benson said in a news release that fish-handler’s bacteria can be found many places other than fish. Those include soil, cats and dogs.