The news of the death of a South Korean man due to amoeba called Naegleria fowleri came out on Monday. The deceased was a 50-year-old man who had returned from Thailand. He returned to South Korea on December 10 after spending four months in Thailand. He came to the hospital after suffering from headache and vomiting.
He was also unable to move his neck. It was not clear what he was talking about. This is not the first time that the amoeba Naegleria fowleri has made headlines. Earlier, a child died due to this amoeba in Nebraska, USA. This amoeba can enter the body through the nose and reach the brain. These can also destroy brain cells.
What is Naegleria fowleri?
Naegleria fowleri is the only species of amoeba that infects humans. This amoeba is commonly found in freshwater lakes and streams. It can only be detected with a microscope.
How does Naegleria fowleri infect humans?
If water containing amoeba enters the body through the nose, it can infect humans. It usually occurs while swimming or bathing in places like lakes and rivers. The amoeba then travels through the nose to the brain. It destroys brain cells and causes a fatal infection called amoebic meningoencephalitis. This infection can also occur when using tap water with the presence of amoeba to wash the face.
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Is Naegleria fowleri present in India?
Naegleria fowleri has been found in more than 16 countries, including India. This amoeba has been found on all continents.
Where is Naegleria fowleri found?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Naegleria fowleri can be found in warm, fresh water and soil. They are more common in the warmer months. Naegleria fowleri is a thermophilic organism. It thrives in temperatures as high as 115°F (46°C). They can also withstand higher temperatures.
Is it possible to spread the infection from one person to another?
Naegleria fowleri infection is not spread from person to person.
Symptoms
Headache, fever, nausea, and vomiting are all common symptoms of Naegleria fowleri infection. Hallucinations and coma may also occur later. Death can occur within 1 to 18 days after symptoms appear.
Is climate change causing these species to proliferate?
Pathogens such as Naegleria fowleri do not just thrive in warm temperatures. This is the time when people rely more on swimming pools and other water sources. Yun Shen, an ecologist at the University of California, told the Guardian that this increases the risk.
“In the future, even people living in colder regions may have to face warmer climates. Due to climate change, such infections are also more likely to increase”, he added.
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