A Missouri resident has been infected with the rare and deadly brain-eating amoeba, Naegleria fowleri, which is believed to have been contracted during water-skiing in Lake of Ozarks. Health officials have confirmed the infection, highlighting the risks associated with recreational activities in warm freshwater. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has stated that the patient is hospitalized and receiving treatment for primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). The agency has also emphasized the importance of preventing water from entering the nose to reduce the risk of infection.
While the specific source of exposure has not yet been confirmed, the DHSS suspects the patient may have been water-skiing in the days leading up to the illness. The amoeba is most active in warm freshwater when temperatures exceed 77°F, typically during the summer months. Although the infection is rare, health officials have stressed the need for caution and the importance of taking preventive measures to avoid such incidents.
Naegleria fowleri is a microscopic organism that can be found in warm freshwater environments such as lakes, rivers, and hot springs. The amoeba enters the human body through the nose and can travel to the brain, causing a severe and often fatal infection known as primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). The initial symptoms of PAM typically include headache, nausea, fever, and vomiting, which can progress to confusion, stiff neck, disorientation, hallucinations, seizures, and ultimately coma. Death can occur within one to 18 days of infection, with an average of five days.
Health officials have reminded the public about the importance of taking precautions when engaging in recreational activities in freshwater environments. These include using nose clips, holding the nose shut, and keeping the head above water while participating in activities such as water-skiing. Lundstrom, an infectious disease specialist, emphasized that the risk of infection is low, but the potential consequences are severe. She also noted that the exact reasons why some individuals are infected while others are not remain unclear.
Despite the high fatality rate of PAM, Lundstrom highlighted that the number of reported cases is relatively low. Between 1962 and 2024, there have been only 167 recorded cases of PAM in the United States. She also reminded the public that drinking contaminated water does not pose a risk, and the infection does not spread from person to person. However, the use of antifungal medications and antibiotics such as rifampin and azithromycin is typically part of the treatment regimen for patients diagnosed with PAM. Miltefosine, a newer antifungal drug, has been shown to kill Naegleria fowleri in laboratory tests and has been used to treat some surviving patients, though its effectiveness in real-world scenarios remains uncertain. Those who experience sudden headache, fever, stiff neck, or vomiting, especially after swimming in warm freshwater, should seek immediate medical attention.
The DHSS has issued recommendations to prevent the spread of the amoeba, which includes avoiding stirring up sediment at the bottom of lakes, ponds, and rivers. While the infection is rare, health officials have urged individuals to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety while engaging in recreational activities in warm freshwater environments.
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