The death rate of brain-eating amoeba is 97%. Photo: Webconsulta
A citizen of Missouri, United States, died after being infected with a brain-eating amoeba while swimming in an Iowa lake.
Authorities have been very cautious in providing details about the victim’s identity and what happened, but the death has already been confirmed on Friday by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services after it was first reported by local outlet The Des Moines Register earlier this month.
“Because these cases are so incredibly rare and out of respect for the family, we don’t intend to release any additional information about the patient that could lead to identification of the person,” said the department’s director of communications. Lisa Cox.
Lake Iowa where man swam. They still do not confirm that it was where the amoeba was infected. Photo: Twitter Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
The man suffered from primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, a usually fatal infection caused by amoeba naegleria fowleri, the Associated Press reported.
According to US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the mortality rate of those who contract this disease is over 97%. “(The amoeba) is not contagious, but it can be fatal if infected,” the department said in a tweet.
“Although rare, infection can occur when water containing Naegleria fowleri enters the nose from warm fresh water. The amoeba travels up the nose to the brain, where it destroys brain tissue. This infection is not contagious and cannot be contracted by ingesting water, “he completed.
Naegleria fowleri is a single-celled organism.
Amoeba is usually found in rivers and lakes. Of the 154 cases reported in the United States, only four people survived. The main symptoms of the disease it produces are headache, fever, nausea and vomiting, the Registry reported.
Authorities believe the most recent victim in the United States swam in the lake in late June. As a precaution, the space has been closed since the beginning of the month.
No further cases of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis have been reported so far. “Public health experts firmly believe the lake is a likely source, but we are not limiting investigations to that source because it has not been confirmed. Additional public water sources in Missouri are being tested,” the Department said. of the Missouri Health.
another recent case
In July 2020, in the midst of a coronavirus resurgence, the Florida Department of Health (DOH) confirmed it had detected a case of infection caused by amoeba in Hillsborough County on Florida’s west coast.
The statement released by the agency explained that one person – of whom it did not provide more information or details – had been infected with naegleria fowleri.
Since 1962, only 37 cases had been reported in Florida. “The low number of infections makes it difficult to know why some people have been infected compared to the millions who have used the same or similar waters across the country,” the statement said.
In some places there are signs that inform about the existence of the amoeba.
In general, contagion occurs when the temperature remains high for an extended period of time, which heats the water and, at the same time, lowers its level. Although Naegleria fowleri is found in this type of water in the United States, it is more common in the southern United States.
The Florida Department of Health statement also provided a number of general recommendations, such as avoiding the use of this type of water when the temperature is high and the level is low, try not to dig or remove the bottom, and avoid contact. nasal .with water.
Source: Clarin
