Augathella, Queensland – August 17, 2025
A dangerous microscopic organism, dubbed the “brain-eating amoeba,” has been identified in drinking water supplies in two southwest Queensland towns.
- The “brain-eating amoeba” (Naegleria fowleri) was found in Augathella and Charleville, Queensland.
- Infection is rare but nearly always fatal, affecting the brain.
- Transmission occurs when contaminated water enters the nose, not through drinking.
- Activities like showering or nasal rinsing with tap water pose a risk in affected areas.
A potentially fatal microscopic organism, commonly known as the “brain-eating amoeba,” has been detected in the drinking water systems of two towns in southwest Queensland: Augathella and Charleville.
These towns, located approximately 750 kilometers west of Brisbane, have populations of roughly 300 and 3,000 residents, respectively. Queensland Health confirmed the presence of Naegleria fowleri during an analysis of water samples. The organism was found in the water systems of two health facilities, one in each town, as well as in the incoming town water supply for both locations.
The Shire Council of Murweh, which encompasses both Augathella and Charleville, issued a health notice on August 7, alerting residents and visitors to the detection of N. fowleri.
What is the ‘Brain-Eating Amoeba’?
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Naegleria fowleri is a microscopic organism found globally that thrives in warm freshwater, typically between 25°C and 40°C. This includes environments like ponds, lakes, rivers, streams, and hot springs.
When an infection occurs, N. fowleri causes primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a severe brain infection. Symptoms can include sore throat, headache, hallucinations, confusion, vomiting, fever, stiff neck, altered taste and smell, and seizures. The incubation period for PAM, from infection to symptom onset, usually ranges from three to seven days.
Did you know? PAM is tragically nearly always fatal, even with prompt medical attention, with death typically occurring about five days after symptoms begin.
While extremely rare, PAM is devastating. In the United States, 167 cases were reported between 1962 and 2024, with only four survivors, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A global review up to 2018 noted that Australia accounted for 22 of the 381 known cases worldwide, with a survival rate of only 8% in Australia.
How Does Infection Occur?
N. fowleri infects the brain by entering the nose. The amoeba travels through the olfactory nerve, which transmits smell signals, to the brain. This invasion leads to the destruction of brain tissue and swelling, known as cerebral edema.
Infections typically happen when people swim or submerge their heads in infected water, allowing the contaminated water to enter their nasal passages. Most cases involve children and young adults, with the average age of those infected being 14. Even water sports like water skiing can be dangerous, as evidenced by a recent case in Missouri where an individual is in intensive care after a suspected infection.
The exact source of the contamination in Queensland’s water supplies is still under investigation. It’s possible that a nearby freshwater source or groundwater feeding the affected systems was contaminated with N. fowleri.
Drinking Water Safety and Risks
Crucially, you cannot contract PAM from drinking contaminated water. However, any activity that forces water up the nose can be dangerous.
This includes showering or bathing. People who flush their nasal passages for congestion relief, often using tap water, are at risk if the water source is contaminated. Health authorities advise using a sterile saline solution for nasal irrigation.
Quick fact: Young children playing with hoses, sprinklers, or in water activities could be at risk if contaminated water enters their noses.
A tragic example occurred in the U.S. in 2023, where a 16-month-old child died after an incident involving a contaminated water “splash pad,” a common water-based recreational feature for children.
What is the Risk in Queensland?
Australian drinking water guidelines indicate that if N. fowleri is detected, advice should be sought from the relevant health authority. The guidelines also outline methods for disinfecting water supplies and controlling the amoeba using chlorine and other chemicals.
Public town water supplies across Australia undergo regular testing to ensure safety. While the cause of the detection in Queensland is under investigation, drinking or cooking with contaminated water will not lead to infection.
Residents in the affected areas are advised to be cautious with any activities that could direct water into their noses. Contamination of town drinking water supplies by this amoeba is rare and unlikely in other Australian water systems.
Swimming Precautions
When swimming in warm, fresh waters where N. fowleri might be present, it’s recommended to keep your head above water and avoid jumping or diving in. Using a nose clip can offer protection if submerging your head.
The amoeba does not survive in saltwater, so ocean swimming carries no risk. Properly maintained swimming pools are also considered safe, as the amoeba cannot survive in clean, cool, and adequately chlorinated water.
