Man in Florida killed by brain-eating amoeba in faucet water, knowledgeable sounds alarm

Disease specialists have requested 1 / 4 million Floridians to keep away from placing their noses in faucet water after a Florida resident died after contracting the brain-eating amoeba.

New Delhi ,UPDATED: Mar 4, 2023 12:41 IST

Naegleria fowleri, the amoeba infiltrates individuals by the nostril. (Photo: Getty)

By India Today Web Desk: The demise of a person in Florida’s Charlotte County, after purportedly rinsing his nostril with faucet water, has prompted many Floridians to keep away from washing their faces with faucet water. The recommendation got here after the Florida Department of Health confirmed that the deceased died after being contaminated by Naegleria fowleri, a brain-eating amoeba.

The amoeba enters the physique by the nostril after which travels in direction of the mind. The organism then destroys the mind tissue which causes a harmful an infection known as major amoebic meningoencephalitis. The an infection is usually deadly.

Initial signs of this an infection embrace complications, fever, nausea, vomiting, lack of steadiness, disorientation, seizures and a stiff neck. The situation, if it will get critical, might result in altered psychological standing, hallucinations, and even coma.

Records state that 97 per cent of those that contracted the illness died and solely 4 sufferers out of 154 survived the an infection within the US between 1962 – 2021. As per media stories, the Floridian man’s case was the primary case within the US to occur throughout a winter month.

Disease knowledgeable Dr Mobeen Rathore suggested all Charlotte County residents to keep away from placing their noses in faucet water throughout this time. During unavoidable conditions, residents are requested to boil the water first after which use it.

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What is brain-eating amoeba?

Naegleria fowleri, also referred to as a brain-eating amoeba is a single-celled organism which is just seen underneath a microscope. It is present in heat freshwater our bodies akin to lakes, rivers, sizzling springs in addition to soil.

How does it infect?

It infects individuals after it is available in contact with people whereas they’re swimming or diving in lakes and rivers. It can even happen if individuals use tap-infected water to scrub their noses and sinuses.

Once the amoeba reaches the human mind by the nostril, it destroys the mind tissue and causes major amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM).

“Infection with Naegleria fowleri is EXTREMELY RARE and can only happen when water contaminated with amoebae enters the body through the nose,” The Florida Department of Health tweeted on Friday.

Setting the document straight:

Infection with Naegleria fowleri is EXTREMELY RARE and may solely occur when water contaminated with amoebae enters the physique by the nostril. You CANNOT be contaminated by ingesting faucet water. https://t.co/Arp2m5aaQz
— Florida Dept. of Health (@HealthyFla) March 3, 2023

It gained’t infect the particular person by ingesting contaminated water, added the division. It solely happens when contaminated water enters the nostril.

It isn’t present in salt water, in keeping with the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, US.

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Is there a vaccine for Naegleria fowleri?

While there are some therapies out there, long-lasting efficient remedy is but to be recognized. “Currently, PAM is treated with a combination of drugs, often including amphotericin B, azithromycin, fluconazole, rifampin, miltefosine, and dexamethasone,” stated the CDC.

Published On:

Mar 4, 2023