Brain-Eating Amoeba Sparks Concerns After Georgia Teen’s Death
After the tragic death of Megan Ebenroth, concerns have been raised about the cause: a brain-eating amoeba known as Naegleria fowleri. The Georgia Department of Public Health recently issued a public safety report confirming that a Georgia resident died after contracting Naegleria fowleri, most likely from swimming in a freshwater lake or pond.
Megan Ebenroth, a 17-year-old high school student, lost her life to the amoeba. Her mother, Christina, confirmed that Megan battled with a brain infection for a few days before succumbing to it. Megan’s mother expressed gratitude for the efforts of the doctors who tried their best to diagnose and fight the infection.
Contracting a brain-eating amoeba is a serious medical emergency as it leads to primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, a condition that affects the brain and spinal cord. While the infection is extremely rare, with only 157 known cases in the United States between 1962 and 2022, the survival rate is low, with only four people reported to have survived, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Dr. Stanley Deresinski, an infectious diseases physician and Stanford University clinical professor, explains that the infection occurs through the nose during underwater swimming, where the amoeba invades the central nervous system. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can increase the chances of survival, but the disease is usually fatal.
Symptoms of the infection can take anywhere from one to 10 days to appear and include severe headache, high fever, nausea/vomiting, stiff neck, confusion, and hallucinations. The infection progresses rapidly, leading to severe inflammation and brain swelling, ultimately resulting in death.
Despite the rarity of contracting a brain-eating amoeba, the CDC warns that the amoeba may be present in any freshwater body in the United States, particularly during the warmer months. Stagnant freshwaters, such as cow ponds, are more prone to hosting the amoeba. Children and young adults are more susceptible to the infection due to their higher likelihood of swimming in such waters.
To reduce the risk of infection, experts suggest avoiding swimming in warm freshwater sources and using nose clips to prevent water from entering the nose. When using a sinus rinse or neti pot, it is crucial to use distilled, sterile, or previously boiled water, as tap water increases the risk of infection.
While the number of reported cases is low, experts believe there may be undercounting and urge people to be aware of the risk before entering freshwater lakes or rivers. Although brain-eating amoebas can be deadly, taking necessary precautions can significantly reduce the chances of contracting the infection.