The deadly “brain-eating amoeba” infection has historically occurred in South America. But in recent years cases have been appearing in a northerly direction, possibly due to climate change, a new study has found.
Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) investigated cases of brain-eating amoebae, known as Nigeria Fowler, U.S. Over a period of four decades.
They found that the number of cases generated each year has remained almost the same, the geographical range of these cases is shifting to the north, with more cases coming to the Midwestern states than ever before.
Ann Fowler According to the CDC, a single-celled organism is naturally found in freshwater lakes and rivers. It causes a devastating brain infection known as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), which is almost universally fatal.
Infection occurs when contaminated water enters a person’s nose, allowing the organism to enter the brain through the olfactory nerve (responsible for your sense of smell) and destroying brain tissue. Swallowing contaminated water will prevent infection, the CDC said.
because Ann Fowler Growing in hot water up to 113 degrees Fahrenheit (45 degrees Celsius), it is possible that global temperatures affect the geographical range of organisms, the authors said.
In a new study published Wednesday (December 16) in the journal Emerging infectious diseases, Researchers analyze U.S. cases Ann Fowler From 1978 to 2018 in recreational water exposure – such as swimming in lakes, ponds, rivers or reservoirs.
They reported a total of 85 cases Ann Fowler Who met their criteria for the study (e.g., cases that were connected to recreational water exposure and included location data).
During this time, the number of cases reported annually was fairly constant, ranging from zero to six per year.
Most of the cases, 74, occurred in the southern states; But the Midnest has six, including Minnesota, Kansas and Indiana. The report states that in these six cases, five cases have occurred since 2010.
(CDC, Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2021)
Above: N. built with recreational water from 1978 to 2018. Cases of fowler infection.
In addition, when the team used a model to examine trends in cases of maximum latitude each year, they found that the maximum latitude shifted about 2.2 miles (1.3 kilometers) north each year during the study period. Is.
Finally, the researchers analyzed the weather data around the date of each case, and found that in the two weeks leading up to each case, the daily temperature is higher than the historical historical average for each location.
“It is possible that rising temperatures and the resulting increase in recreational water consumption, such as swimming and water sports, may contribute to the changing epidemic of PAM,” the authors wrote.
Attempts to characterize PAM cases, such as knowing when and where these cases occur, and being aware of changes in their geographic range, can help predict when it is dangerous to visit natural swimming holes, the authors said.
There is no quick test for Ann Fowler The CDC says the only way to prevent this infection in the water is to avoid swimming in fresh water.
If you prefer to swim in warm salt water, you can spray water over your nose by closing your nose, using nose clips, or keeping your head above water.
This article was originally published by Live Science. Read the original article here.
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