amoeba

Florida issues warning over ‘brain-eating’ amoeba

pharmafile | July 6, 2020 | News story | Sales and Marketing amoeba, infection, lakes 

The Florida Department of Health has issued a warning over a rare case of ‘brain-eating’ amoeba after one person has been infected.

The incident occurred in Hillsborough County with health officials urging locals to avoid nasal contact with water from taps and other sources. This includes bodies of open water like lakes and ponds where infections are more likely in the warmer summer months. People have also been told to avoid digging or stirring up sediment in shallow freshwater and should use nose clips while swimming.

Amoeba are commonly found in freshwater and enter through the nose, but cases are usually rare in Florida. This particular amoeba is called Naegleria fowleri and the infection is causes includes symptoms of fever, nausea and vomiting, with mortality likely within a week.

Florida’s Department of Health released a statement: “Remember, this disease is rare and effective prevention strategies can allow for a safe and relaxing summer swim season”, adding that those who experience the listed symptoms should “seek medical attention right away, as the disease progresses rapidly.”

Between 2009 and 2018, there were only 34 infections reported in the US. Only 30 of those were infected by recreational water, three after performing nasal irrigation with contaminated water and one by using contaminated tap water while gardening.

Conor Kavanagh

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