An individual infected with primary amebic meningoencephalitis, or PAM, has passed away in Missouri, as announced by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services on Wednesday.
The man unfortunately died Tuesday in a hospital near St. Louis.
This infection was contracted after coming into contact with a “brain-eating” amoeba, which is known for rapidly destroying brain cells and is typically fatal. Still, it’s worth noting that such infections are quite uncommon.
According to Christian Rojas Moreno, an infectious disease expert with MU Health Care, there are billions of instances of exposure to these amoebas each year, yet this results in only about 10 cases or fewer on an annual basis.
The primary risk factor involves being in warm, freshwater environments, which is often experienced during recreational water activities. The health department indicated that the deceased man had been water skiing at the Lake of the Ozarks shortly before falling ill.
While the health department hasn’t suggested avoiding any specific waters, Rojas Moreno mentioned that these amoebas are widespread. “This amoeba exists almost everywhere, particularly in warm, freshwater bodies,” he noted. “So it’s there, especially in hot summertime. There is a risk, but it’s quite low—very low, in fact.”
Symptoms of the ‘brain-eating’ amoeba
Rojas Moreno indicated that the signs of this infection usually start off as headaches and then escalate. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has advised anyone experiencing these symptoms after swimming in warm waters to seek medical help:
- Severe headache
- Fever
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stiff neck
- Seizures
- Altered mental status
- Hallucinations
Typically, symptoms emerge between one and twelve days following exposure, according to Rojas Moreno.
Patients exhibiting these symptoms will generally be evaluated for more common brain infection causes before being tested for the amoeba, he explained. Given the rarity of this infection, doctors might not check for the amoeba right away unless there’s a clear history of exposure.
He highlighted that people can reduce their risk by steering clear of warm, fresh water. In unavoidable situations, holding one’s nose or using nasal plugs may help prevent water from entering. It’s important to note that swallowing water containing the amoeba won’t lead to infection, as stated by the state health department.
“It’s hard to predict when it might happen again, but the possibility is there for any warm, fresh body of water,” Rojas Moreno cautioned.
