Warmer Weather Brings Danger of Amoeba
As the weather begins to get hotter, the Orange County Health Department reminded residents about water safety and the dangers of the amoeba Naegleria fowleri found in fresh water.
The amoeba can cause an infection known as Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis by traveling up the nose to the brain and spinal cord. This generally happens during activities such as swimming, diving, water skiing or wake boarding.
Amoeba can thrive in any fresh water such as lakes, ponds or rivers. The amoeba is naturally occurring in any body of fresh water such as lakes, rivers, hot springs and poorly maintained and minimally chlorinated or unchlorinated swimming pools.
“This is the time of year families start returning to the water, and we all need to remember to be careful and safe. These few tips can help keep a child safe and maybe even save a life,” Orange County Health Department Director Dr. Kevin M. Sherin said.
Avoid water-related activities in bodies of warm freshwater during periods of high water temperature and low water levels. Also avoid hot springs and thermally polluted water such as water that surrounds power plants.
People are asked to keep their heads out of the water and to hold their nose or use nose-clips while in lakes or ponds. Also avoid digging in or stirring up sediment.
The safest way to prevent infection from an amoeba is to not swim in warm standing water, such as lakes, ponds, poorly maintained swimming pools, storm water holding areas or in places posted as no-swimming areas.
Parents should also always remember to keep their eyes on kids, and encourage children to swim with a partner. As always, people should seek medical attention immediately if getting sick after swimming.
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