Photo Credit Florida DOH
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Just a little over two weeks after we learned of a case in Arkansas (see Naegleria fowleri Shuts Water Park) Florida is reporting a case of case of PAM (primary amebic meningoencephalitis) in a 12-year-old boy from Glades County, in the southern part of the state.
While exceedingly rare, every summer we hear about a small number of these infections – usually in the southern states – and usually linked to swimming in warm (often stagnant) fresh water ponds or lakes.
Dubbed the `brain eating amoeba’ by the media, this parasitic infection of the brain is almost always fatal (just one patient out of 128 diagnosed in the United States surviving (cite) over the past 50 years.).
First, a link to local news coverage of this latest case, followed by the State of Florida’s DOH statement, then I’ll return with a bit more.
Florida boy fights infection from brain-eating amoeba
By: JEANNIE NUSS, Associated Press
LABELLE, Fla. (AP) - Health officials in Florida said Tuesday that a 12-year-old boy is fighting a rare and deadly infection that is attacking his brain.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: DOH Communications
August 13, 2013 (850) 529-4614
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CONFIRMS ONE CASE OF NAEGLERIA FOWLERI INFECTION
TALLAHASSEE- The Florida Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed one Florida case infected
with Naegleria fowleri in Glades County. Naegleria fowleri is a microscopic single-celled living amoeba.
The amoeba can cause a rare infection of the brain called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM)
that destroys brain tissue and is usually fatal. The amoeba is commonly found in warm freshwater such
as lakes, rivers, ponds and canals.Infections can happen when contaminated water enters the body through the nose. Once the amoeba
enters the nose, it travels to the brain where it causes PAM. Infections usually occur when
temperatures increase for prolonged periods of time, which results in higher water temperatures and lower water levels. The peak season for this amoeba is July, August and September.
“The effects of PAM on the individuals who contract the amoeba are tragic," said Dr. Carina Blackmore, Interim State Epidemiologist. “We want to remind Floridians to be wary when swimming, jumping or diving in fresh water when water temperatures are high and water levels are low. If you are partaking in recreational swimming activities during this time, please take necessary precautions and remind your family and friends to do the same."
Naegleria fowleri infections are rare. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC), 28 infections were reported in the U.S. from 2003 to 2012. The infections occurred from
exposure to contaminated recreational water. You cannot be infected with Naegleria fowleri by drinking contaminated water and the amoeba is not found in salt water.Initial symptoms of PAM usually start within one to seven days after infection and may include
headache, fever, nausea, or vomiting. Other symptoms can include stiff neck, confusion, loss of
balance, seizures, and hallucinations. After the start of symptoms, the disease progresses rapidly.
Naegleria fowleri is found in many warm freshwater lakes, ponds and rivers in the United States, but is
more common in southern states. The low number of infections makes it difficult to know why a few
people have been infected compared to the millions of other people that used the same or similar waters across the U.S.
The only way to prevent PAM is to avoid anticipation in freshwater-related activities. You may reduce your risk by:
- Limiting the amount of water going up your nose. Hold your nose shut, use nose clips, or keep your head above water when taking part in warm freshwater-related activities.
- Avoid water-related activities in warm freshwater during periods of high water temperature and low water levels.
- Avoid digging in, or stirring up, the sediment while taking part in water-related activities in
shallow, warm freshwater areas.
The State of Florida has a 1-minute PSA on this amoebic threat, which you can view below.
The Florida Department of Health offers some additional common sense safety advice on how to avoid this parasite.
Photo Credit – Florida DOH
For more information on the Naegleria parasite, you can also visit the CDC’s Naegleria webpage.
Although the primary route of infection is from swimming in shallow, warm, (usually stagnant) fresh-water lakes and streams, in 2011 we saw a couple of cases in Louisiana related to the use of Neti Pots for nasal irrigation (see FDA Advice On Safe Use Of Neti Pots).
Photo Credit FDA
Since millions of people swim in waters where this amoeba naturally occurs (or practice nasal irrigation with tap water) and only a small handful of infections result, the odds of acquiring this infection are exceedingly low.
Still, it makes sense to follow the simple precautions recommended by the Florida Department of Health, the CDC, and the FDA to avoid acquiring this rare, but invariably devastating infection.
