A rare brain-eating amoeba, Naegleria fowleri, has claimed the life of a 71-year-old Texas woman who used contaminated tap water for nasal irrigation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that she died eight days after symptoms began.
The CDC confirmed that the woman contracted the infection by using tap water at a campground. Naegleria fowleri is commonly found in soil, freshwater ponds, lakes, rivers, and hot springs. Most infections occur when people swim in contaminated water and submerge their heads, allowing the amoeba to enter the nose.
The brain-infecting disease, known as primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), can progress rapidly, with symptoms beginning five days after exposure. Early symptoms include headache, nausea, vomiting, fever, neck stiffness, seizures, and hallucinations. If left untreated, PAM is almost always fatal.
Dr. Stephanie Widmer, a medical toxicologist, warned that the infection can be mistaken for other illnesses, such as bacterial meningitis or the flu. She emphasized the importance of seeking medical attention promptly if symptoms arise after exposure to contaminated water.
While PAM is rare, with fewer than 10 reported cases in the US each year, precautions can be taken to lower the risk of infection. Avoiding untreated lake water and using sterilized or distilled water for nasal irrigation are key steps in prevention.
The CDC has reported only four survivors of PAM since 1962, highlighting the deadly nature of this rare but often fatal disease.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/rare-brain-eating-amoeba-after-texas-woman-dies/story?id=122648208