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Economic Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Economic Times
Rare brain eating amoeba Naegleria fowleri kills woman: How a tiny amoeba in tap water can kill you and how to stay safe
Brain Eating Amoeba: A 71-year-old woman in Texas died after using unboiled tap water from an RV for nasal rinsing, leading to a rare but fatal infection caused by Naegleria fowleri — the so-called 'brain-eating' amoeba. The case, confirmed by the CDC, has raised fresh concerns over improper water use in nasal irrigation and swimming. Infections are exceedingly rare but almost always deadly. Authorities stress the importance of safe water practices to avoid exposure, particularly in warmer months when the amoeba thrives. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads What is Naegleria fowleri? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads How the woman got infected Symptoms to watch for Headache Fever Nausea Vomiting Confusion Stiff neck Seizures Hallucinations Coma Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads How to protect yourself How it spreads and survives Can it be treated? A woman in Texas died after contracting a deadly brain infection from a microscopic amoeba in tap water used for a nasal rinse, U.S. health officials have 71-year-old was reportedly staying at a local campground and had used water from her RV's tap in a nasal irrigation device. Just four days later, she developed severe neurological symptoms and died within eight days of falling ill. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified the infection as primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), caused by Naegleria fowleri — a rare but nearly always fatal amoeba.'This case reinforces the potential for serious health risks associated with improper use of nasal irrigation devices, as well as the importance of maintaining RV water quality and ensuring that municipal water systems adhere to regulatory standards,' the CDC fowleri is a single-celled organism that lives in warm freshwater bodies such as lakes, rivers, and hot springs. It can also survive in poorly maintained swimming pools and untreated tap water. It is referred to as a "brain-eating amoeba" because, once it enters through the nose, it travels along the olfactory nerve into the brain, where it destroys brain its terrifying name, the amoeba is extremely rare. Between 1962 and 2023, only 164 cases were recorded in the U.S., with just four known Lundstrom, Chief Medical Officer and infectious disease expert at Trinity Health, told Fox News Digital, 'The risk of brain-eating amoeba is very low. Fewer than 10 people in the U.S. every year get infected — but unfortunately, most cases are fatal. There are only a handful of survivors of known cases.'The CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report detailed that the woman had used a nasal irrigation device multiple times over four days. It was filled with unboiled tap water from the RV's internal plumbing. After symptoms such as fever, headache and altered mental status emerged, she was hospitalised and treated for a suspected PAM her condition rapidly worsened. She suffered seizures and died eight days after the symptoms began. Testing of her cerebrospinal fluid confirmed the presence of Naegleria the amoeba itself was not detected in the RV water supply, investigators found the system had not been adequately symptoms of PAM often appear within five days of exposure, though onset can range from one to 12 days. These include:As the infection advances, it can cause:'Early symptoms should prompt a medical evaluation, as they are also signs of bacterial meningitis,' said disease progresses swiftly. On average, death occurs five days after symptoms begin, but it can happen in as little as one day or as long as CDC advises that only sterile, distilled or previously boiled and cooled water should be used for nasal rinsing. Improperly treated water, especially from RVs or municipal systems lacking adequate disinfection, can pose a swimming, experts recommend keeping your head above water or using a nose clip. 'Infection occurs when water harbouring the amoeba goes up a person's nose, usually during swimming,' Lundstrom explained. 'It is not known why some people get infected and others, even swimming companions, do not.'Drinking contaminated water is not a risk factor, as the infection only occurs via nasal exposure. It also does not spread between the amoeba thrives in warm temperatures — typically over 30°C — and can survive in sediment, swimmers are advised not to disturb the bottom of lakes or fowleri has three life stages: cyst, trophozoite (the active stage), and flagellate. The active form can infect humans but under less favourable conditions, it reverts to a cyst and clings to surfaces in plumbing or grows best at temperatures up to 46°C and can survive briefly even in hotter conditions. Most infections occur in southern U.S. states, though cases are being reported further north — possibly linked to climate limit the spread, many southern utilities perform annual chlorine burns at the start of summer to flush out biofilms where the amoeba might options are limited due to the rapid progression and severity of PAM. Doctors typically use antifungal and antibiotic drugs, such as rifampin and azithromycin, alongside miltefosine, a newer antifungal that has shown some promise in lab Lundstrom cautioned, 'The effect of all of these drugs on actual infected people is unknown due to the high fatality rate.'Prompt diagnosis remains difficult because early symptoms resemble other, more common warmest months are when Naegleria fowleri is most active, especially in southern regions. Splash pads, lakes, and even backyard kiddie pools can become risky if water is left untreated or infections are rare, families are urged to take simple precautions. Use sterile water for nasal care. Be cautious in warm freshwater environments. And remember, the amoeba doesn't pose a risk in saltwater or from drinking.'Millions of people enjoy swimming every summer, but only a few become infected,' said Lundstrom. 'Awareness and prevention are your best tools.'
Economic Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Economic Times
Deadly brain-eating amoeba kills Texas woman: how to be safe?
What is Naegleria fowleri? Naegleria fowleri is a free-living, single-celled amoeba found in warm freshwater environments worldwide, such as lakes, rivers, hot springs, and poorly maintained pools. It is commonly called the 'brain-eating amoeba' because it can cause a fatal brain infection. How do people get infected? Infection occurs when water containing the amoeba enters the nose, usually during swimming, diving, or nasal irrigation with contaminated water. Drinking contaminated water does not cause infection. What are the symptoms? Early symptoms include headache, fever, nausea, and vomiting. As the disease progresses, symptoms may include stiff neck, confusion, seizures, hallucinations, and coma. Death usually occurs within 5 days of symptom onset. How common are infections? Infections are extremely rare, with fewer than 10 cases reported annually in the U.S. over the past five decades Can the infection be treated? Treatment options are limited and often unsuccessful. Some experimental therapies, such as miltefosine, have shown promise if administered early, but survival remains rare. How can infection be prevented? Use only distilled, sterile, or previously boiled and cooled tap water for nasal irrigation. Avoid submerging your head in warm freshwater, especially during the summer months. The Science Behind Naegleria fowleri Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel A 71-year-old Texas woman died after contracting a rare but deadly infection caused by the brain-eating amoeba Naegleria fowleri . According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the woman used untreated tap water from her RV's supply for nasal irrigation, a practice that allowed the amoeba to enter her body through her days, she developed severe neurological symptoms, including headache, fever, confusion, and seizures. Despite rapid medical intervention, she succumbed to the infection just eight days after symptoms began. The CDC stresses that such infections are extremely rare but almost always fatal, with only four survivors among 164 reported U.S. cases from 1962 to fowleri is a thermophilic (heat-loving) amoeba that thrives in warm freshwater environments, particularly during summer months. It exists in three life stages: cyst (dormant and resistant), flagellate (transient and mobile), and trophozoite (active and feeding).The trophozoite stage is the infectious form, capable of invading the nasal passages and migrating to the brain via the olfactory nerve, where it causes primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM).The amoeba is classified as a free-living organism, meaning it does not require a host to survive. Instead, it feeds on bacteria and organic matter in the environment. While most exposures do not result in infection, when the amoeba enters the nose, it can rapidly cause severe brain inflammation and tissue destruction, leading to death in nearly all fowleri's ability to adapt to various environments and its near-universal presence in warm freshwater underscores the importance of safe water practices, especially for activities that involve nasal exposure.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Woman dies of brain eating amoeba after rinsing sinuses using tap water
A rare case of brain eating amoeba killing a woman has grabbed attention. As per the latest Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) of the US CDC, a woman died due to fatal brain infection caused by the free-living ameba, Naegleria fowleri which she got from nasal irrigation device filled with tap water. "A previously healthy woman aged 71 years developed severe neurologic symptoms, including fever, headache, and altered mental status within 4 days of using a nasal irrigation device filled with tap water from an RV's water system at a campground in Texas. Despite medical treatment for a suspected PAM infection, the patient developed seizures and subsequently died 8 days after symptom onset. Laboratory testing at CDC confirmed the presence of N. fowleri in the patient's cerebrospinal fluid," the US CDC says. "Primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is a rare, often fatal brain infection caused by the free-living ameba Naegleria fowleri. Using tap water for nasal irrigation is a risk factor for PAM," it warns. What is Naegleria fowleri? Naegleria fowleri, also known as the "brain-eating amoeba," is a super rare but extremely dangerous microorganism that lives in warm freshwater—like lakes, rivers, hot springs, and even poorly maintained swimming pools. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like They Lost Their Money - Learn From Their Lesson Expertinspector Click Here Undo Despite how scary it sounds (and yes, it is scary), infections from it are extremely uncommon. So what exactly is this thing? Naegleria fowleri is a tiny, single-celled organism that you can't see without a microscope. It thrives in warm temperatures, especially in water that's over 30°C (about 86°F). You don't get sick from drinking water that has it. The real danger happens when the water goes up your nose—usually while swimming, diving, or jumping into warm freshwater. Once it gets up your nose, the amoeba can travel to your brain through the olfactory nerve (the nerve that helps you smell). Once it reaches the brain, it causes a rare but deadly infection called Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM). And unfortunately, it progresses very quickly—people usually start feeling symptoms within 1 to 12 days, and the disease often leads to death within about 5 days after symptoms start. The early symptoms of PAM can feel like a bad case of meningitis or the flu: headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, and a stiff neck. Then it gets worse—confusion, seizures, hallucinations, and eventually coma. Because it progresses so fast and looks like other infections at first, it's very hard to diagnose in time. To stay safe, avoid getting water up your nose when swimming in warm freshwater—wear nose clips, don't stir up sediment, and avoid jumping or diving into shallow, warm water. And definitely don't use tap water to rinse your nose or sinuses unless it's been properly sterilized or filtered. Naegleria fowleri may sound like something out of a horror movie. Just be smart around warm freshwater, and you'll likely never come close to encountering it. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
