Water experts say swimmers should watch out for brain-eating amoebas that thrive in hot and humid environments.
“It feeds on bacteria, sometimes even in the soil,” said Dr. Barry Rosen of the FGCU Water School.
Amoebas can be found in any freshwater body where conditions are warm and moist enough. This includes rivers, puddles, mud, poorly maintained pools with low chlorine levels, etc.
It is a threat that travels through the nose and through the olfactory nerves to the brain.
Rosen details how to avoid it. “Avoid jumping directly into the water. It may blow water up your nose. Diving underwater is prohibited. We wear nose clips. All of these prevent water from blowing up your nose.” , is a good thing we can do to provide a place for the water to get in first.”
Amoeba infection is rare, Rosen said. But it should still be taken seriously.
“The fatality rate is over 97%,” Rosen said.
If symptoms are found, seek medical attention immediately.
“Headaches, stiff neck, sometimes nausea and vomiting, all that stuff. Anything? If you think you’ve been exposed, don’t miss your chance,” Rosen said.
Texas now has the highest number of confirmed cases in the United States since 1962 with 39, according to the CDC, followed by Florida with 37.
An Inglewood man died in March 2023 from an amoeba after using a sinus cleanser.
