Georgia Resident Dies from Rare Brain-Eating Amoeba Infection
CNN – A resident of Georgia has died from a rare brain-eating amoeba infection, likely acquired while swimming in a freshwater lake or pond, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health. The news release stated, “The individual was likely infected while swimming in a freshwater lake or pond in Georgia.”
The infection, caused by the amoeba Naegleria fowleri, destroys brain tissue, leading to brain swelling and often death. This particular amoeba is found in soil and warm freshwater bodies such as lakes, rivers, ponds, and hot springs, but it is not present in salt water, properly treated drinking water, or swimming pools.
The recently confirmed case in Georgia is the sixth reported case of Naegleria fowleri infection since 1962. It is an extremely rare occurrence, with only four out of 154 people in the United States surviving such an infection between 1962 and 2021, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
This month, a 2-year-old boy in Nevada also died from a brain-eating amoeba infection, likely acquired at a natural hot spring. In February, a resident of Florida passed away after using tap water for a sinus rinse, exposing them to the amoeba.
Symptoms of Naegleria fowleri infection initially include severe headaches, fever, nausea, and vomiting. As the infection progresses, a stiff neck, seizures, hallucinations, and coma may occur. Treatment involves a combination of drugs, including antibiotics, antifungal medications, antimicrobial drugs, and corticosteroids.
Public health officials urge individuals to educate themselves about the risks associated with freshwater bodies and take precautions, such as avoiding water activities in warm freshwater sources during hot weather and using nose clips or holding their noses shut while diving or jumping into water. Proper hydration and maintenance of a healthy immune system are also important preventive measures.
While the occurrence of brain-eating amoeba infections is rare, awareness and preventive measures can help mitigate the risk and protect individuals from this potentially fatal infection.