(ORDO NEWS) — A Missouri man was swimming in an Iowa lake and contracted a rare brain-eating amoeba. As a result, he died. This was reported on July 17 by ABC News.
The confirmed case of Naegleria fowleri was made public by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services ten days ago, according to the publication. The infection is considered rare, but few survive after it.
Presumably, the amoeba entered the body of a man after swimming in warm fresh water in one of the lakes in Iowa. Literally the next day after receiving the official results of the patient’s studies, the authorities temporarily closed the local beach. They decided to test the water for the presence of Naegleria fowleri in the lake.
It is noted that the patient from Missouri was treated in the intensive care unit for primary amoebic meningoencephalitis. But it was not possible to save the man – he died.
“While cases of Naegleria fowleri infection are extremely rare, once infected they are usually fatal,” Health Department spokeswoman Lisa Cox told ABC News.
According to official figures, between 1962 and 2021, 152 cases of the disease were reported in the United States due to the rare amoeba. Only 4 people were able to survive after Naegleria fowleri entered the body. Last year, a 3-year-old boy died from a rare disease.
“These situations are extremely rare in the United States and especially in Missouri, but it is important for people to know that an infection exists so that they can seek medical attention in a timely manner if they have appropriate symptoms,” Missouri State Epidemiologist Dr. George Turabelidze said in a statement.
A rare amoeba enters the body through the nose. Then it can be in the brain and destroy brain tissue. Symptoms of the disease include headaches, fever, nausea and vomiting, and seizures.
In order to reduce the risk of infection, it is recommended to avoid resting and swimming in warm fresh water during periods of particularly intense heat.
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