Brain-Eating Amoeba

Yard Dart · Sep 16, 2013

Scientists have found a rare and deadly amoeba in the water supply of a Louisiana parish where a child died last month from a brain infection caused by the microscopic organism, according to state health officials.
Test results from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the Naegleria fowleri amoeba was found in four locations of the St. Bernard Parish water system, the state Department of Health and Hospitals announced Thursday.
State health officials say the water is safe to drink but can pose a risk of infection if the amoeba enters a person's nose.
St. Bernard Parish, a suburb of New Orleans, started flushing its water lines with additional chlorine last week as a precaution after the state linked the amoeba to the encephalitis death of the child, a 4-year-old boy from Mississippi who was visiting a home in the parish. The state says residents also can protect themselves by chlorinating their pools and avoiding getting water in their nose.
Earlier tests had confirmed the amoeba was present at the home. Dr. Raoult Ratard, the state epidemiologist, said investigators suspect the boy became infected while playing on a "slip-and-slide."
"It was the only time where he was in contact with some water that could have penetrated all the way up into his nose," Ratard said.
The process of flushing the parish's water system with chlorine is expected to continue for several weeks. Ratard said the test results aren't cause for residents to panic.
"You just have to be a little more careful," he said.
Parish President Dave Peralta said tests will continue "until I am totally satisfied that everything is OK." Peralta, who has urged residents to remain calm, said he has seen a mixed reaction to the nerve-jangling discovery.
"I have some people who are understandably very concerned," he said. "Quite honestly, some people are making jokes about it to keep a smile on their face."
The boy's death is the third linked to the Naegleria fowleri amoeba in Louisiana since 2011, when a 51-year-old DeSoto Parish woman and a 20-year-old St. Bernard Parish man both died after becoming infected. A total of 32 infections were reported in the U.S. between 2001 and 2010.
"This parasite exists all over," Peralta said. "It's not unique to St. Bernard Parish."
The state says swimming or diving in freshwater lakes and rivers is the most common way to be exposed to the amoeba. Infections from other sources, such as heated tap water and swimming pool water that is inadequately chlorinated, are rare.
In the early stages, symptoms of an infection from the amoeba are similar to those of bacterial meningitis and include headache, fever, nausea, vomiting and a stiff neck. Later symptoms include confusion, loss of balance, seizures and hallucinations.
At least two other parishes in southeast Louisiana are acting in response to the discovery in St. Bernard Parish. St. Charles Parish said it has increased sampling of its water system, while Plaquemines Parish has asked the state to test its water system and planned to flush its water lines over the weekend.
"There is no reason to believe that we have a problem with our water," Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser said in a statement. "The steps we are taking are purely precautionary measures."
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Brain-eating amoeba found in water supply of New Orleans suburb | Fox News

So much for swimming pools in that area....

kellory · Sep 16, 2013

I'm sure the urine would kill it anyways.....

techsar · Sep 16, 2013

This has been an ongoing issue for a few weeks. St. Bernard Parish has been injecting chlorine into the water system pretty much since this first broke. Neti pots have been announced as a potential mode of getting the amoeba deep into the sinus cavities where infection can enter the body.

Very glad that we are not on that side of the lake...

Motomom34 · Sep 16, 2013

This is really scary. Makes one think. How many people ever give a thought to the water they drink.

gunbunny · Sep 17, 2013

Motomom34 said: ↑

This is really scary. Makes one think. How many people ever give a thought to the water they drink.
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Don't worry about drinking the amoeba, it gets into your system through the cribiform plate located at the top of your sinuses. You have to get it way up into your nose, which is why the neti pots are to blame.

Usually about 4 people (in the USA) a year die from these amoeba, but for some reason, this year is busy. I'm not trying to downplay the horrible effects that the amoeba cause, just trying to state that the number of people affected are usually minimal.

Brokor · Sep 17, 2013

Yup, if I shower in warm climate with well water, you can be certain I won't pick my nose in the tub!

BTPost · Sep 17, 2013

Just make sure... You do NOT snort it, Brokor, and you will be Fine.......

Seacowboys · Sep 17, 2013

having just put water on the Jimmie G from the dock at Dulac, guess I'll skip the nettie pot for a while

stg58 · Sep 17, 2013

Here is a picture of one of the first carriers, they say it has infected millions of democrats....

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Brain-Eating Amoeba

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Yard Dart Vigilant Monkey Moderator

kellory An unemployed Jester, is nobody's fool. Banned

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gunbunny Never Trust A Bunny

Brokor Live Free or Cry Moderator Site Supporter+++ Founding Member

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