A baby has died from a suspected an infection with Naegleria fowleri – or brain-eating amoeba – in Nebraska, well being officers mentioned Wednesday. If confirmed, it might be the primary recognized loss of life from it within the state.
The Douglas County Well being Division mentioned in a information launch that the kid "presumably acquired" the an infection whereas swimming within the Elkhorn River on Sunday. Whereas the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention are conducting additional exams to verify what it was, the county is urging residents to take precautions when being uncovered to freshwater sources.
"We are able to solely think about the devastation this household should be feeling, and our deepest condolences are with them. We are able to honor the reminiscence of this baby by changing into educated in regards to the threat after which taking steps to forestall an infection," Douglas County Well being Director Dr. Lindsay Huse mentioned in an announcement.
The amoeba – which causes major amebic meningoencephalitis – is current in lots of freshwater sources and it may well infect individuals when water containing the organism enters the physique via the nostril and reaches the mind, sometimes whereas swimming or diving, in keeping with the Douglas County Well being Division. Nonetheless, an individual can't be contaminated whereas consuming contaminated water, and it doesn't unfold person-to-person.
Signs, which embrace vomiting, complications, nausea and fever, normally happen inside 1 to 12 days following an an infection. It might progress right into a stiff neck, seizures and different neurological signs.
Nebraska epidemiologist Dr. Matthew Donahue mentioned that whereas tens of millions of leisure water exposures occur annually, wherever from zero to eight Naegleria Fowleri infections are recognized yearly.
"Infections sometimes happen later in the summertime, in hotter water with slower move, in July, August and September. Circumstances are extra regularly recognized in southern states however extra lately have been recognized farther north. Limiting the alternatives for freshwater to get into the nostril are the very best methods to scale back the danger of an infection," Donahue mentioned in an announcement.
All through the summer season, different circumstances of brain-eating amoeba have been recognized in different states. A Missouri resident died after he swam in an Iowa lake and contracted major amebic meningoencephalitis. A Florida teen was hospitalized after the uncommon brain-eating amoeba acquired in his nostril and contaminated him.