NBC has reportedly been forced to halt production on Ultimate Slip ‘N Slide after an outbreak of “explosive diarrhea” on set. As PEOPLE reports, a crew member on the series, which was being filmed in Simi Valley, California, tested positive for giardia, the parasite that can cause severe gastrointestinal distress when swallowed. Production ceased following the crew member’s positive test on June 2.
- Only a week of production was left on the show. Most of the season had finished filming when the outbreak occurred, but given how easily giardia spreads, there was no way they could continue to risk the safety of the cast and crew. It’s unclear whether or not this will affect the premiere of the series, which was set for Sunday, August 8.
- Up to 40 crew members “fell violently ill” with diarrhea. As a source revealed to The Wrap, up to 40 crew members experienced “awful explosive diarrhea” and some became so ill that they were “collapsing” and “forced to run into port-o-potties.”
- Independent health officials were called in to test the water. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and Ventura County Public Health worked together to test the pond, slide pool, water truck, restroom sinks, and a pond on set, all of which tested negative for giardia. However, there were some positive tests for the illness in the set’s surrounding areas.
- NBC has released a statement in response to the incident. The health and safety of everyone on our set is our number one priority, so out of an abundance of caution we have made the decision to stop production of Ultimate Slip ‘N Slide at the current location,” the spokesperson said. “We are in the process of determining next steps in order to complete production.”
Here’s hoping everyone gets well soon!
