A 1-year-old boy’s death from a rare brain-eating amoeba has been reported in South Carolina. The patient died after exposure to Naegleria fowleri, an amoeba that causes primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). This is the first case of Naegleria fowleri in the state since 2016.
Naegleria fowleri is found naturally in warm freshwater lakes and rivers. Infection occurs when water enters the nose, usually during swimming. The amoeba is most active between July and September, but infection is rare. The CDC reports a death rate of over 97% for Naegleria fowleri infections.
Warning signs include headache, nausea, fever, vomiting, confusion, stiff neck, disorientation, hallucinations, seizures, and coma. Early symptoms can appear within five days after exposure, while death typically occurs between one and 18 days later.
To prevent infection, health officials recommend swimming with nose clips or holding the nose shut, and avoiding jumping or diving into fresh water. Drinking contaminated water does not pose a risk, as the amoeba is not transmissible from person to person.
Treatment involves antifungal medications, including rifampin and azithromycin, along with antibiotics. However, the effectiveness of these treatments on actual infected patients is unknown due to the high fatality rate. The CDC recommends seeking immediate medical attention if symptoms such as sudden headache, fever, or stiff neck occur after swimming in warm freshwater.
Source: https://www.foxnews.com/health/death-confirmed-rare-deadly-brain-eating-amoeba-southern-lake