L’“brain-eating” amoeba made another victim in the United States. A 59-year-old American who used to swim at the Cumberland County Waterpark in North Carolina (USA) died of infection with Naegleria fowleri in July. This amoeba, naturally present in fresh and warm water, is not dangerous when swallowed by the mouth. But when this microorganism is absorbed through the nose, it travels up the olfactory nerve, and attacks the brain causing an meningoencephalitis often fatal amoebic. Infections with this cerebral amoeba remain rare: 145 people were infected in the United States (between zero and eight cases per year) from 1962 to 2018. Five cases were recorded in North Carolina during this period.
“Infections usually occur when it’s hot for long periods of time, resulting in higher water temperatures and lower water levels,” the Carolina Department of Health and Human Services says. North (NCDHHS), in a communicated.
Once infected, the patient presents after a few days (within one to two weeks) the first symptoms of Naegleria fowleri contamination. This first manifests itself in severe headaches, fever, from nausea and vomiting, followed by stiffness in the neck, seizures and coma.
North Carolina health authorities are warning swimmers and people who dive, water ski or any other water activity about the risks of nasal ingestion of this amoeba. “People should be aware that this organism is found in lakes, rivers and freshwater hot springs in North Carolina. So be careful when swimming or playing water sports,” warns Zack Moore, state epidemiologist in the statement.
How to protect yourself from “brain-eating” amoebae
Failing to be able to eliminate this amoeba naturally present in freshwater lakes, certain precautions must be taken to avoid ingestion through the nose, recalls the NCDHHS:
- Hold your nose closed, use nose clips, or keep your head above water when participating in freshwater activities.
- Avoid aquatic activities in warm, fresh water during periods of high temperature or when the water is low.
- Avoid digging or stirring up sediment while engaging in aquatic activities in shallow, warm freshwater areas.
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