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Lake Jackson is on a “no water order” and has asked the Texas state government to declare a state of emergency.
“The City of Lake Jackson, Brazoria County, Texas, faces serious threats to life, health and property from contaminated water. The impact of this threat is very serious, with risks. Risks include illness and death.” Lake Jackson City confirmed in a petition sent to Gov. Greg Abbott.
According to Mayor Bob Sipple, the scale and severity of the incident were so great that his city was unable to deal with it alone.
Previously, on September 25, the Texas Commission for Environmental Quality Management (TCEQ) warned the Brazosport Water Authority (BWA) of the risk of their water becoming contaminated with Naegleria fowleri. The TCEQ initially asked eight cities not to use tap water for any reason other than flushing toilets.
However, on September 26 this warning was removed for the remaining 7 cities. For Lake Jackson City, this warning will remain until the water is reassessed as safe. It is unclear how long it will take place. The BWA draws water from the Brazos River.
Lake Jackson City has a “no water order” and has asked the Texas state government to declare a state of emergency because bacteria eat Naegleria fowleri’s brain. Photo: Twitter
Lake Jackson City in a statement on Sept. 26 said the incident was discovered after a 6-year-old boy was hospitalized by Naegleria fowleri.
“On September 8, 2020, Lake Jackson City was notified by the Brazoria County Health Department of a 6-year-old boy hospitalized for a rare and dangerous brain-eating bacteria, Naegleria fowleri,” the statement read.
Naegleria fowleri generally enters the human body through the nose and then travels to the brain. These infections are rare but often fatal and often occur when victims swim or submerge in contaminated water.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), between 2008 and 2009, the United States had 34 cases of Naegleria fowleri infection, most of which originated in places of entertainment.
Recently, earlier this month, the family of a teenager said he died of the Naegleria fowler bacteria after playing at a camp in North Florida in August.
For Lake Jackson City, a no tap water warning will remain until the water is reassessed as safe. Photo: Twitter
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