A second death within a month is thought to be related to a brain-eating amoeba commonly transmitted while swimming in lakes.
What is a brain-eating amoeba?
according to NBC News A Georgia resident died last week after likely contracting a brain-eating amoeba while swimming in a lake or pond, according to reports.
of Georgia Department of Public Health The resident said he had Naegleria fowleri infection. It is a “rare infection that destroys brain tissue, causes swelling of the brain, and is usually fatal.”
The agency also explained that the brain-eating amoeba is usually transmitted through water that enters the noses of people swimming in freshwater lakes and ponds.
If that’s not scary enough, the report also says regular environmental testing for amoebas isn’t being done.
How common are deaths from brain-eating amoebas?
The number of annual deaths associated with brain-eating amoebas is fairly low. NBC News An average of 3 deaths per year are reported.
While that doesn’t seem like a big deal, the recent string of amoeba-related deaths may be cause for concern.
In July, a 2-year-old boy was ruled. Nevada Department of Public Health and Behavioral Health After visiting a hot spring, he is believed to have died from a brain-eating amoeba.
In 2023, there was also a death from a brain-eating amoeba. man from florida In February, he became infected after rinsing his nose with tap water.
How to prevent brain-eating amoebas from entering the body
The CDC has released tips on how to take precautions to avoid contracting the deadly amoeba from swimming or using tap water.
As for swimming, the CDC It is recommended:
- Do not jump or dive into warm freshwater bodies.
- close your nose or keep your head above the water
- Avoid stirring the sediment in shallow, warm fresh water.
For tap water use, CDC It is recommended Be careful when rinsing your sinuses with water through your nose or when cleaning your nose during religious ceremonies.
See: Stunning Vintage Photographs That Capture the Beauty of America’s National Parks
Today, these parks are located in 25 states nationwide and in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Although the land surrounding them was purchased or donated, much of it was inhabited by Native Americans thousands of years before the founding of the United States. These areas are protected and respected as educational resources about the natural world and as spaces for exploration.
Keep scrolling for 50 vintage photos that showcase the beauty of America’s national parks.
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[WARNING: Under no circumstances should you enter private or abandoned property. By doing so you risk bodily harm and/or prosecution for trespassing.]
