Brain-eating amoeba: South Korea records its first case of death from Naegleria Fowleri infection. Learn about its Causes, Symptoms and Treatment below.
There was a surge in searches for “brain-eating amoeba” and “Naegleria fowleri” on Tuesday after South Korea revealed its first case of infection. After returning from a trip to Thailand, a 50-year-old man in South Korea died, according to authorities. He had contracted Naegleria fowleri, an amoeba that usually causes serious brain infections. This is the first known infection of the disease in the country, having been reported in the United States in 1937.
What is Naegleria Fowleri or Brain-eating Amoeba and can it infect humans?
A free-living amoeba or single-celled living organism called Naegleria fowleri is a species typically found in soil and warm freshwater (such as lakes, rivers, and hot springs). When amebic water enters the nose during swimming, it usually results in this condition. In most cases, the infections are fatal. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that only three people in the country can contract this disease each year.
Symptoms
According to research, when the amoeba enters the body, it takes 2-15 days for symptoms to appear. And death usually occurs 3-7 days after the signs appear.
- Headache
- Fever
- Eat
- vomiting
- hallucinations
- loss of taste
- Blurry vision
- Neck stiffness
Treatment
In one of the few cases where patients have survived, doctors use a combination of drugs that are believed to have some effect on Naegleria fowleri. Since the first death in South Korea, authorities have advised against swimming in areas where the infection has broken out.
