Health authorities in the United States have issued an urgent public warning after confirming the death of a Missouri resident from a devastating infection caused by a rare brain-eating amoeba.
The individual is believed to have been exposed to the single-celled organism, Naegleria fowleri, while swimming in recent weeks at Lake of Three Fires, located in Taylor County, Iowa. The confirmation has sent ripples of concern through communities about the hidden dangers in freshwater sources during the warm summer months.
What is Naegleria Fowleri?
Naegleria fowleri is a microscopic, free-living amoeba found in warm freshwater environments such as lakes, rivers, and hot springs. It is often referred to as a 'brain-eating amoeba' for its devastating effects.
Infection occurs when contaminated water containing the amoeba is forced up the nose. From there, it can travel to the brain, causing a rare and almost always fatal disease called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM).
Extremely Rare but Tragically Fatal
It is crucial to note that PAM is extraordinarily rare. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there have been just 154 known cases in the United States between 1962 and 2021.
However, the infection progresses with terrifying speed and has a fatality rate of over 97%. Symptoms, which usually start about five days after exposure, can initially mimic bacterial meningitis and include:
- Severe headache
- Fever
- Nausea and vomiting
- Stiff neck
- Seizures
- Altered mental state and hallucinations
The disease advances rapidly, often leading to coma and death within a week.
Safety Advice from Health Experts
Despite the alarming nature of the infection, health officials stress that the risk is minimal. Naegleria fowleri infection cannot occur from drinking contaminated water.
The key to prevention is limiting the amount of water that goes up the nose. Experts advise swimmers and participants in water sports in warm freshwater to:
- Use nose clips or hold your nose shut.
- Avoid submerging your head underwater.
- Be especially cautious in warm, stagnant water.
- Avoid digging or stirring up sediment at the bottom of lakes.
The Iowa Department of Health and the CDC continue to monitor the situation, and the Lake of Three Fires remains closed to swimmers as a precautionary measure while testing is underway.
