Person in Missouri hospitalized with rare infection caused by brain-eating amoeba
A patient in Missouri was diagnosed with a rare brain infection that’s caused by a brain-eating amoeba, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services confirmed Thursday.
The patient is being treated in an intensive care unit for the life-threatening infection called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), according to DHSS.
The infection is caused by Naegleria fowleri, commonly referred to as the brain-eating amoeba. It is a microscopic, single-celled amoeba that is usually found in warm freshwater, including lakes, rivers and ponds, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Infection.
Health officials are still investigating the source of the patient’s infection, and said Friday that they are working closely with the Iowa Department of Public Health on the case.
The Iowa health department temporarily closed the Lake of Three Fires in Taylor County for swimming because of potential exposure.
Dr. George Turabelidze, Missouri’s state epidemiologist, said these situations are extremely rare.
“But it’s important for people to know that the infection is a possibility so they can seek medical care in a timely manner if related symptoms present,” Turabelidze said.
It’s the first confirmed case of PAM in Missouri in 35 years, health officials said. Since 1962, just 154 known cases have been identified in the U.S.
No additional suspected cases of PAM are being investigated in Missouri at this time, health officials said.
People can become infected with the amoeba when contaminated water enters the body through the nose. The amoeba travels to the brain and begins to destroy tissue, according to the CDC.
The infection cannot be spread from one person to another, and cannot by contracted by swallowing contaminated water.
While PAM infections are rare, people swimming in warm fresh water should assume the amoeba is present, health officials said. People can decrease the risk of infection by limiting the amount of water going up the nose.
The DHSS recommends the following precautions:
- Hold your nose shut, use nose clips, or keep your head above water when taking part in water-related activities in bodies of warm freshwater
- Avoid putting your head under the water in hot springs and other untreated thermal waters
- Avoid water-related activities in warm freshwater during periods of high-water temperature
- Avoid digging or stirring up the sediment while taking part in water-related activities in shallow, warm freshwater areas
Symptoms of infection include severe headache, fever, nausea and vomiting, stiff neck, seizures and hallucinations. Anyone who experiences symptoms after swimming in a warm body of water should contact a health care professional because the infection progresses quickly.
This story was originally published July 8, 2022 at 10:27 AM.
