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Between 1962 and 2021, only 4 of the 154 people infected in the US with the “brain-eater” amoeba survived.
A man residing in Charlotte County, on the southwest coast of Florida (USA), died as a probable consequence of consuming tap water that contained the microscopic “brain-eater” amoeba scientifically known as “Naegleria fowleri”, confirmed the state Department of Health.
The health authorities indicated in a statement that the deceased, whose identity was not disclosed, suffered an infection from this parasite. “possibly as a result of rinsing practices from the paranasal sinuses with tap water”.
The authorities continue to investigate this death that occurred at the end of last February.
“An epidemiological investigation is underway to cunderstand the specific circumstances of the infection” of this parasitic amoeba. Unfortunately, it resulted in one death, and any additional information regarding this case is confidential to protect patient privacy,” said Jae Williams of the Florida Department of Health.
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The “Naegleria fowleri” lives in the environment without causing harm to humans, but when it proliferates in warm waters can cause fatal infections reaching the brain through the olfactory nerves during bathing.
This amoeba can destroy brain tissue and often causes deathTherefore, the authorities call for caution during activities in fresh and temperate waters in summer.
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“In rare situations, this amoeba can cause an infection of the brain called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM),” said the Department of Health, which urged residents in that county to follow a series of health instructions, among others, such as the use only distilled or sterilized water when making the above type of nasal rinse.
Between 1962 and 2021, only 4 of the 154 people infected in the US with the “brain-eater” amoeba survived.
According to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a child who contracted this parasite died last year following swimming in Lake Mead in Nevada; another child died in Nebraska and a Missouri resident, who became infected following bathing in Iowa, was reported by CBS Miami.