US, Florida Department of Health( DOH) announced the confirmed case of Naegleria fowleri, which also called ” Brain-eating amoeba” that can infect and destroyed the brain. The amoeba enters the body through the nose, reported by CNN.
In the US, there have been 143 known infected cases of the amoeba, according to the Florida DOH and only 4 have survived. The fatality rate is very high.
Naegleria fowleri is typically found in warm freshwater like lakes, rivers and ponds. The DOH has cautioned people who swim in those freshwater sources to be aware of the amoeba’s possible presence, particularly when the water is warm. They are advised to pinch their nose when playing in warm freshwater.
According to BBC, those infected with Naegleria fowleri have symptoms including fever, nausea and vomiting, as well as a stiff neck and headaches. Most die within a week.
Thus, health officials has urged people who experience those symptoms to “seek medical attention right away, as the disease progresses rapidly”.
However, DOH also added that the amoeba cannot be passed from person to person.