What is the 'brain-eating' amoeba that has caused two deaths this week and how can you prevent it from infecting you?
At least two people have died in the past two weeks in the United States after being infected with the bacterium Naegleria fowleri, commonly known as the 'brain-eater' amoeba.. The first of the victims is a Georgia man who contracted the infection while swimming in a lake.. The second person affected is a two-year-old boy who died on July 26 when he bathed in a contaminated pool.. But what is this parasite really and how does it work?
What are the causes of infection?
Naegleria fowleri is a single-celled microbe that lives in warm freshwater from lakes, rivers or hot springs, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).. Sometimes the bacteria can also reside in soil.
Infection occurs when water containing the microbe enters the body through the nose.. Once inside, the amoeba moves up to the brain and begins to destroy the tissue. In 97% of cases the contraction of the bacteria causes death. Not all amoebas are deadly, this is the only species that affects humans in this way.
Where is it located?
The 'brain-eater' amoeba can be found anywhere in the world where there are bodies of warm freshwater, geothermal springs, sewage, swimming pools that do not meet hygienic conditions or geothermal drinking water sources.
When are you most likely to get infected?
The probability of finding the Naegleria fowleri during the summer months is much higher than during the winter, as it can survive better when the temperatures are higher. In addition, during this period people tend to go more frequently to swimming pools, lakes or rivers, causing the number of infections to increase.
What are the symptoms?
When the bacterium enters the body, it causes primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a brain infection whose early symptoms resemble those of bacterial meningitis.. These symptoms appear about five days after contracting the infection.
People with the 'brain-eater' bacteria experience headaches, fever, nausea or vomiting. In later stages of the infection, other symptoms may appear such as a stiff neck, confusion, inattention to others and the environment, loss of balance, seizures and hallucinations. The disease progresses rapidly and, in most cases, causes death a few days after the bacteria enter the body.
What is the risk?
The risk of contracting this disease is low, since infection by Naegleria fowleri is very rare.. However, anyone who develops symptoms after coming into contact with warm fresh water should see a doctor right away.
How to avoid infection?
To reduce the risk of infection, some measures should be carried out, such as limiting the amount of water that enters through the nose when swimming in lakes or rivers. In addition, it is advisable not to bathe in polluted water or in poorly maintained pools.