A toddler in the United States has died from a rare infection from a brain-eating amoeba, likely contracted in a paddling pool at a water park.
- In the state of Arkansas, a 16-month-old baby died after being infected by a brain-eating amoeba.
- This microscopic organism, living in freshwater hot springs, destroys brain tissue, causing brain swelling and, in some cases, death.
- This is already the fifth case of death caused by this infection in the United States this year.
On September 4, a 16-month-old boy died in the state of Arkansas, United States. The death was caused by a rare infection caused by a brain-eating amoeba, known as Naegleria fowleri. “This rare infection destroys brain tissue, causing brain swelling and, in some cases, death,” reported the Arkansas Department of Health in a statement. This illness usually presents with severe headache, fever, nausea and vomiting, then progresses to stiff neck, convulsions and coma which can lead to death. Symptoms usually begin about five days after infection, but can appear within one to twelve days.
Brain-eating amoeba lives in freshwater hot springs
Following this death, an extensive investigation was conducted to determine how the child may have been exposed to the amoeba. According to the results, it is very likely that the baby was exposed to this microscopic organism in the paddling pool where he was playing. Samples taken at the Little Rock Country Club water park where the boy was contaminated revealed the presence of Naegleria fowleri. As a reminder, it is a unicellular microorganism, a living being made up of a single cell which moves by deforming and emitting membrane extensions. This species, which is not transmitted from person to person, lives in soil and in freshwater lakes, rivers, ponds and hot springs. It can also be found in swimming pools and paddling pools that are not properly maintained.
The fifth case of death caused by this infection in the United States
According to American health authorities, this is already the fifth case of death caused by this infection in the United States this year. In the country, “Only about three people are infected each year, but these infections are usually fatal.” In France, cases are extremely rare. In addition, health authorities have put in place preventive measures to prevent any spread of this infection. It is therefore essential to be vigilant when swimming in fresh water environments and to follow recommendations, such as preventing water from entering your nose when swimming or avoiding stirring up sediment, where amoebae are more likely to live at the bottom of water.
