Rare Brain-Eating Amoeba Infection in Missouri
Residents of Missouri are dealing with a concerning infection from a rare brain-eating amoeba, which might be linked to water skiing activities in the Ozarks. This was confirmed by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) on Wednesday.
Currently, unidentified adults are in intensive care, suffering from primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a deadly infection caused by Naegleria fowleri. The health department reported no other potential cases in the area.
While the exact source of exposure hasn’t been pinpointed, it’s noted that the patient had been in the water days before becoming ill. “Recreational water users should assume that Naegleria fowleri is present in warm freshwater bodies across the country, but infections remain hugely rare,” the agency stated.
This amoeba poses a risk, particularly when swimming in freshwater, as it can enter the body through the nose. Health officials emphasize that the amoeba is most active in warm months, particularly from July to September when water temperatures reach 77°F or higher.
Awareness of Symptoms
Early symptoms of PAM typically manifest about five days after exposure, but can appear sooner. These initial signs often include headaches, nausea, fever, and vomiting, according to the CDC. As the condition worsens, individuals may experience confusion, stiff neck, disorientation, hallucinations, seizures, and even coma.
People generally begin to feel unwell between one and twelve days after coming into contact with contaminated water, and the average time from infection to death is around five days. Doctors are urging anyone who swims in warm freshwater and experiences sudden headaches or other symptoms to seek medical attention immediately.
Preventative Measures
To avoid potential infection, health officials recommend taking certain precautions while swimming in bodies of freshwater. It’s advised to keep your nose closed, use a nose clip, or keep your head above water when engaging in these activities. “Infection occurs when water containing the amoeba enters through the nose while swimming,” explained Tammy Lundstrom, a chief medical officer and infectious disease expert.
She added that simply drinking contaminated water isn’t a health risk, and the infection cannot spread between people. Since the amoeba is also present in soil, it’s best to avoid disturbing sediments in lakes, ponds, and rivers.
Treatment Options
If diagnosed with an infection from the brain-eating amoeba, treatment generally involves antifungal medications. New treatments, like the drug Myrtefosin, have shown promise in eradicating Naegleria fowleri in clinical trials and have been administered to patients who survived the infection, according to the CDC.
However, Lundstrom mentioned that the effectiveness of these treatments on actual cases remains uncertain due to the high mortality rate of the infection. It’s crucial for individuals experiencing severe symptoms after swimming in warm freshwater to seek immediate medical care.
Despite the grave nature of these infections, they are incredibly rare, as Lundstrom pointed out. “Millions of people enjoy swimming each summer, yet only a few will fall ill,” she noted.
