'Brain-Eating' Amoeba Prompts Disinfection Changes In Louisiana

Louisiana health officials say two water systems in the state tested positive for traces of the so-called “brain-eating” amoeba, a deadly parasite known for striking and taking lives in summertime.

“The Louisiana Department of Health has confirmed that two of the state's water systems is positive for Naegleria fowleri, a naturally occurring freshwater amoeba. As such, the authorities are advising residents to take precautionary measures to reduce the risks of infection,” Tech Times reported.

Routine drinking water testing by the department confirmed the presence of the amoeba in Ouachita Parish’s North Monroe Water System and Terrebonne Parish’s Schriever Water System, according to an announcement from the Louisiana health department.

The department said it is safe to drink the water, but urged residents to avoid getting water in their noses.

“The Louisiana Department of Health notified the water system and local officials Thursday afternoon. The Department asked the water system to convert the disinfection method to the free chlorine method for a period of 60 days to ensure that any remaining ameba in the system are eliminated,” the report said.

The department made the following recommendations to families, among other suggestions:

• DO NOT allow water to go up your nose or sniff water into your nose when bathing, showering, washing your face, or swimming in small hard plastic/blow-up pools.
• DO NOT jump into or put your head under bathing water (bathtubs, small hard plastic/blow-up pools); walk or lower yourself into the water.
• DO NOT allow children to play unsupervised with hoses or sprinklers, as they may accidentally squirt water up their nose. Avoid slip-n-slides or other activities where it is difficult to prevent water going up the nose.

The parasite causes primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a potentially fatal brain infection that leads to the destruction of brain tissue.

The amoeba has taken many lives. One example is a teen who died from contracting it at a recreation center in North Carolina last year.

“Exactly one year after her death, Lauren Seitz's family filed a wrongful death lawsuit over a deadly amoeba she picked up during a trip to a North Carolina water park,” CNN reported last month.