The singlecelled organism lives in warm, freshwater places such as lakes, streams, hot springs, and on the ground (Photo: Wikipedia/Reproduction) A child died of suspected primary amebic meningoencephalitis, or PAM, caused by a rare and wellknown parasite as a “braineating amoeba” in Nebraska, USA. According to NBC, the information was confirmed by the health authorities this Wednesday (17 August).
According to the Douglas County Health Department, where the child lived, the infection may have picked up while she was swimming in the Elkhorn River last Sunday (08/14). Symptoms of the disease include vomiting and a headache. Intolerance to sleep and light, fever and headaches.
The unicellular organism lives in warm freshwater locations such as lakes, streams, hot springs and on the ground. Tests are being conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to confirm the case.
On the 27th, it was confirmed that a 13yearold boy was hospitalized in serious condition because of the disease. Carl Ziegelbauer became infected with the protozoa while swimming on the beach in Port Charlotte, Florida.
high mortality
The organism, scientifically named Naegleria fowleri, contaminates through the nose or mouth and then lodges in the victims’ brains. Despite being a rare disease, the CDC has a mortality rate of over 97%.
Only 154 incidents were recorded in the US between 1962 and 2021, with only four people surviving.
In August last year, 7yearold David Pruitt died a week after coming into contact with the protozoan after swimming in a lake on his family’s property in Tehama County, California. Ten cases were recorded in this state from 1971 to 2021.
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