Naegleria fowleri infection, also known as the “brain-eating amoeba,” is generally found in warm freshwater bodies such as lakes, rivers, and hot springs.
Seoul: South Korea reported its first death from an infection caused by a ‘brain-eating amoeba’ on Monday. A man in his 50s died 10 days after showing symptoms of the rare but deadly infection. The man is suspected to have been infected during a trip to Thailand, according to The Korea Times.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) revealed that the man stayed in Thailand for four months before entering South Korea on December 10. A day later, he was taken to the emergency room after he began suffering from headaches, vomiting, a stiff neck and slurred speech, the report said.
where is it located
- Naegleria fowleri infection, also known as the “brain-eating amoeba,” is generally found in warm freshwater bodies such as lakes, rivers, and hot springs.
- The amoeba is on the ground.
- Notably, from 1962 to 2021, only four of 154 people in the United States survived after contracting the infection.
- Poorly maintained swimming pools, wading pools, surf parks or other recreational venues with insufficient chlorine
- Naegleria fowleri does not live in salty water, such as the ocean.
How does the brain-eating amoeba work? Naegleria fowlerinfect people
If contaminated water is inhaled through the nose, Naegleria fowleri can cause a brain infection known as primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM).
The disease progresses rapidly, and the first stage is characterized by severe headaches, fever, nausea, and vomiting.
In the second stage, the patient may experience hallucinations and seizures and may even fall into a coma.
The disease, ‘primary amebic meningoencephalitis’, is difficult to detect in its early stages. The disease spreads rapidly. The disease is usually discovered after the patient has died.
Is Naegleria fowleri present in India
According to a report by the Indian Express, Naegleria fowleri has been identified as the cause of PAM in more than 16 countries, including India, and has been found on all continents.
What are the symptoms of Naegleria fowleri?
Initial symptoms, which appear five days after infection, include
- Headache
- Fever
- Nausea
- vomiting
- Neck stiffness
- seizures
- altered mental state
- Eat
- Death
Could climate change increase the spread of infection?
According to the CDC, with rising global temperatures, the chances of contracting Naegleria fowleri infection will increase, as the amoeba thrives primarily in warm freshwater bodies. The organism grows best at high temperatures up to 46°C and can sometimes survive even higher temperatures.
