Latest news with #MissouriDepartmentofHealthandSeniorServices
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Health
- Newsweek
Warning Issued After State Sees First Brain-Eating Amoeba Case in 3 Years
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. After a rare brain infection was confirmed in a Missouri resident, health officials warned recreationists across the state to assume the brain-eating amoeba that caused the infection is present in any warm freshwater they visit. Newsweek reached out to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services via email for comment. Why It Matters The infection comes as Jaysen Carr, a 12-year-old boy from South Carolina, died on July 18 after being exposed to Naegleria fowleri while swimming in Lake Murray. The incident has drawn attention to the dangers of this rare but deadly amoeba that thrives in warm freshwater during the summer. Missouri health officials confirmed the same infection has landed a Missourian in intensive care, with the source of exposure currently under investigation. What To Know Missouri health officials made the announcement on Facebook earlier this week. "We have confirmed a rare brain infection in a Missourian caused by an ameba (also spelled amoeba) called Naegleria fowleri. The infection is known as primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) - it is not contagious, but it is deadly. The patient is being treated in the ICU," the post said. Using the direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) staining technique, this photomicrograph depicts the histopathologic characteristics associated with a case of amebic meningoencephalitis due to Naegleria fowleri parasites. Using the direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) staining technique, this photomicrograph depicts the histopathologic characteristics associated with a case of amebic meningoencephalitis due to Naegleria fowleri parasites. Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images/Getty It is the first such infection in three years for Missouri. Between 1962 and 2024, there have been 167 reported cases of PAM in the United States, two of which occurred in Missouri. One was in 1987 and another in 2022. The infection is almost always fatal, and only four people in the U.S. have survived the infection, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said. An investigation has been launched into the source of exposure for the Missouri patient, but health officials said "preliminary information implies the patient may have been participating in water activities at the Lake of the Ozarks days before becoming ill." "Recreational water users should assume that Naegleria fowleri is present in any warm freshwater across the U.S.; however, infection remains extremely rare," the post said. People can reduce their risk of infection by taking several precautions, including holding their nose shut or using nose clips, keeping their head above water, avoiding water activities when water temperatures are higher, and avoiding digging in sediment. Early symptoms of the infection include headache, fever, nausea, and vomiting. It progresses rapidly and usually causes a coma or death after five days, the CDC said. Most people die within 18 days of symptoms beginning. What People Are Saying Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services in a post on Facebook: "Although rare, infection can occur when water containing Naegleria fowleri enters through the nose from freshwater. The ameba travels up the nose to the brain where it destroys brain tissue. It is important to remember that this infection isn't contagious and can't be contracted by swallowing water." The CDC's webpage about the infection: "Brain infections caused by Naegleria fowleri usually occur after someone goes swimming or diving in a lake, river, or other fresh water during summer months. Infections often happen when it's been hot for long periods, resulting in higher water temperatures and lower water levels. A few infections have occurred when people used tap water that contained Naegleria fowleri to rinse their sinuses or cleanse their nasal passages." What Happens Next Since the amoeba thrives in freshwater with temperatures between 80 and 115 degrees Fahrenheit, the rare infections could become more common as climate change warms the environment. People recreating in warm freshwater across the U.S. should take accurate precautions.
NBC News
4 days ago
- Health
- NBC News
Missouri resident hospitalized with 'brain-eating' infection possibly linked to water skiing, officials say
A Missouri resident has been hospitalized with what health officials described as a deadly "brain-eating infection" after possibly waterskiing in a local lake. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services said in a Wednesday news release that the patient — who they have not identified — appears to have been exposed to a Naegleria fowleri. The agency described Naegleria fowleri as "a microscopic single-celled free-living ameba that can cause a rare, deadly infection of the brain called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), also known as 'brain-eating' infection." Health officials said that a preliminary investigation suggests that the patient may have been water skiing in the Lake of the Ozarks, a reservoir in central Missouri, days before becoming ill. Naegleria fowleri is commonly found in freshwater, according to the agency, but PAM is "extremely rare." The ameba is typically ingested through the nose and travels up to the brain, where it damages the brain tissue, the agency added. "Recreational water users should assume that Naegleria fowleri is present in warm freshwater across the United States; however, infection remains very rare," the agency said. The health agency said that between 1962 and 2024, there were only 167 reported cases of the infection in the United States. Last month, 12-year-old Jaysen Carr died from contracting PAM days after swimming in Lake Murray in South Carolina, according to a statement the law firm representing Carr's family posted on Facebook. "We stand beside this family not only to seek the truth, but to help ensure no other family endures a loss like this," the Bailey Law Firm said. Early symptoms of PAM include headache, fever, nausea, and vomiting, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC says that most people with PAM die within 1 to 18 days after symptoms begin, and that the infection typically leads to coma and death within five days. The Missouri HHS advised that residents "avoid water-related activities in warm freshwater during periods of high-water temperature," use nose clamps, and avoid putting their heads underwater. It also suggested avoiding the excavation of wet sediment, as "Naegleria fowleri amebas are more likely to live in sediment at the bottom of lakes, ponds, and rivers."
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Man goes water-skiing and days later discovers something is ‘eating' his brain
The man was rushed to intensive care after developing a rare condition that only seven people have survived just days after the had been water-skiing on a lake A man discovered he had been infected with a rare brain-eating amoeba just days after going water-skiing. He has now been rushed into intensive care and is being t reated for primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). The deadly infection is caused by Naegleria fowleri. The amoeba is found in warm and freshwater environments such as ponds, lakes, rivers, hot springs, and poorly maintained swimming pools. It is thought the man, who has not been identified, became infected by the amoeba after water-skiing in the Lake of Ozarks central Missouri. Fox News reports that the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) confirmed the infection on Wednesday. The DHSS says the source of the infection is unknown but explained the man had been water-skiing days before the discovery. No other cases have been reported. Between 1962 and 2024 there were 167 cases of PAM reported across the United States. It is thought that the amoeba enters the body through the nose. The DHSS explained: 'Although a rare occurrence, people become infected by Naegleria fowleri when water containing the amoeba enters the body through the nose from freshwater sources. 'The Naegleria fowleri amoeba then travels up the nose to the brain where it damages the brain tissue. This infection cannot be spread from one person to another, and it cannot be contracted by swallowing contaminated water.' The amoeba is said to be the most active in July, August and September, health officials explained. It thrives in water that is warmer than 25C. The initial signs of PAM are said to start showing around five days after exposure. Early warning signs include a headache, fever and possibly vomiting. When the infection progresses people often experience confusion, a stiff neck, disorientation, hallucinations, seizures and a coma. Death can occur at any point up to 18 days, with most living just five. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Naegleria fowleri can be treated with anti-fungal medicines. Although tests are said to have been performed in laboratory conditions and not on actual patients. The DHSS however says there are ways to prevent infection. These include holding your nose or keeping your nose above water when taking part in freshwater activities. People can also avoid putting their head under water in freshwater and avoid digging up sediment. Naegleria fowleri amoebas are said to live in sediment at the bottom of ponds. According to the CDC there have been rare instances of people becoming infected with PAM from splash pads and surf parks that did not have enough chlorine in the water. The infection does not occur from swallowing the water, officials say. A study in 2021 found there had been 381 cases of PAM identified up to 2018. A majority of those infected were male and only seven people survived the condition.
USA Today
5 days ago
- Health
- USA Today
Missouri resident diagnosed with brain-eating amoeba after water skiing, officials believe
A person is undergoing treatment after being diagnosed with a brain-eating amoeba infection in Missouri, officials announced. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MODHSS) said in a news release on Aug. 13 that the individual, an adult, has been infected with Naegleria fowleri, a brain-eating amoeba. Naegleria fowleri is a type of amoeba that can cause a rare, but nearly always fatal brain infection called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Typically, fewer than 10 people a year get PAM in the United States, according to the CDC. Last month, a 12-year-old boy died from a PAM infection in South Carolina. Dangerous waters: What to know about the flesh-eating bacteria and brain-eating amoebas Individual may have gotten sick after water skiing, officials say The Missouri resident is currently being treated in an intensive care unit. There are no additional suspected cases of PAM currently being investigated in the state, MODHSS said. Public health officials are investigating the source of the patient's exposure. However, based on preliminary information, officials believe the patient may have been water skiing at the Lake of the Ozarks days prior to getting sick, MODHSS said. 'Unimaginable': Family speaks out after 12-year-old dies of brain-eating amoeba What is Naegleria fowleri? Why it's called brain-eating amoeba Naegleria fowleri is a type of amoeba that thrives in warm freshwater lakes, rivers and hot springs, according to the CDC. It can also be found in poorly maintained swimming pools, splash pads and tap water, the CDC says. PAM, the infection caused by the amoeba, destroys brain tissue, which is why it is often referred to as brain-eating amoeba. Brain infections caused by Naegleria fowleri are very rare, though when they do happen, they are almost always fatal, according to the CDC. How to protect against brain-eating amoeba The CDC recommends the following measures to protect against brain-eating amoeba: Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at
Economic Times
6 days ago
- Health
- Economic Times
Missouri reports rare Naegleria fowleri brain-eating amoeba infection possibly linked to water skiing
Missouri health officials confirmed a rare Naegleria fowleri brain-eating amoeba infection in a patient who recently visited the Lake of the Ozarks. The patient is hospitalized in intensive care. Officials are investigating the source, with possible exposure linked to water skiing or other freshwater recreational activities Missouri health officials are investigating a rare Naegleria fowleri brain-eating amoeba infection possibly linked to water skiing at the Lake of the Ozarks Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads A Missouri resident has been hospitalized with a confirmed Naegleria fowleri brain-eating amoeba infection, possibly contracted after water skiing in the Lake of the Ozarks , the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services said Wednesday, August patient, whose identity has not been released, is receiving treatment in an intensive care unit. Health officials said the illness developed days after the patient visited the lake. The source of exposure is still under read: Deadly brain-eating amoeba kills Texas woman: how to be safe? The Lake of the Ozarks State Park has two public beaches, according to its website, though officials did not specify which location the patient visited. Naegleria fowleri is a microscopic amoeba found in warm freshwater. The infection it causes, primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), is rare but severe. The organism can enter the brain when water is forced up the nose during activities such as swimming, diving, or water skiing, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).From 1962 to 2024, there have been 167 reported PAM cases in the United States, the Missouri health department month, 12-year-old Jaysen Carr of South Carolina died after contracting the amoeba. It was the state's first known case since 2016, according to the South Carolina Department of Public Health. His family has spoken publicly, urging awareness to prevent similar CDC advises precautions to reduce risk, including wearing a nose clip or holding the nose shut when jumping or diving into freshwater and keeping the head above water in hot springs. Early symptoms of infection can include nausea, vomiting, fever, severe headache, stiff neck, seizures, altered mental status, and CDC notes that Naegleria fowleri infections cannot be contracted from swallowing contaminated water or through person-to-person transmission.
