A case related to Naegleria fowleri, commonly known as a “brain-eating amoeba,” has been reported in Florida.
The Florida Department of Health Department confirmed a case in Hillsborough County on Friday. Hillsborough County and the Tampa County Seat are in Southwest Florida.
No other information about the case was released.
Naegleria fowleri is an amoeba that can cause a rare brain infection that destroys tissue and is generally fatal. The amoeba is found in warm temperate water such as lakes, rivers, ponds, and canals. People become infected when contaminated water enters the body through the nose and then the amoeba travels to the brain where it causes a rare condition called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis.
Symptoms of the infection include fever, headaches, nausea, disorientation, vomiting, stiff neck, loss of balance, seizures, or hallucinations. The disease can progress rapidly and medical treatment should be sought immediately.
The high season for Naegleria fowleri is July, August and September, when the water temperatures are high.
Infections are rare with only 37 cases reported in Florida since 1962, according to the Department of Health. From 2009 to 2018, 34 infections have been reported in the U.S.
To avoid infection, people are advised to avoid water-related activities in warm temperate bodies of water, particularly during periods of low water levels; keep your nose closed when you are in warm temperate water like lakes or rivers; and avoid digging or removing sediment in shallow areas of fresh water.
