{"id":6068,"date":"2013-09-16T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2013-09-16T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wordpress.dev\/?p=6068"},"modified":"2013-09-16T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2013-09-16T00:00:00","slug":"naegleria-fowleri-back","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.achooallergy.com\/blog\/naegleria-fowleri-back\/","title":{"rendered":"Naegleria fowleri Back in the News"},"content":{"rendered":"

We first mentioned this amoeba<\/a> over a year ago in connection with the death of a woman in Louisiana. Friday, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) announced that the microbe had been found in four locations in the St. Bernard Parish water system. The Atlanta based Center for Disease Control (CDC) confirmed the presence of Naegleria fowleri<\/span> in the public water supply, and all of this follows the death of a 4-year old from infection, back in August. So what is Naegleria fowleri<\/span>, and what can you do to prevent exposure to this potentially deadly microbe?<\/p>\n

Naegleria fowleri Under a MicroscopeA single cell amoeba, Naegleria fowleri<\/span> is often found in bodies of warm, freshwater, but can also be found in soil. Typically, it enters the body through the nose. Once deep in the nasal passages, it makes its way to the brain and causes the often fatal disease, primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). Symptoms of PAM can easily be misdiagnosed since the early stages resemble bacterial meningitis, and often can be mistaken for the flu.<\/p>\n

_The areas where the microbe likes to inhabit does not only include lakes, rivers, ponds and streams. Another potential source is drinking water. If you grew up like I did and have a well, there is potential there for the organism to make an appearance since this water is rarely, if ever, chlorinated. Public water supplies, like those that tested positive in Louisiana, are typically safe if properly chlorinated. Typically Seen More During the Summer Months, Naegleria fowleri Prefers Warm, Fresh Bodies of WaterOne potential problem, though, is that if not properly monitored and maintained, residual chlorine levels can dip below recommended levels. This opens the door for potential infection, and this is what the CDC found to be the case in this Louisiana parish.<\/p>\n

_Overall, the risk of infection is extremely low. Each year, millions swim in lakes, ponds, and streams all across the U.S., but in the last decade, there has been an average of less than four cases a year. When infection does occur, it often makes headlines due to the mortality rate. This can make Naegleria fowleri<\/span> seem far more common than what it is. Still, there are a few preventative measures you can take to make this low risk, even lower.<\/p>\n