Brain eating amoebassed box at Lake of Ozarks leaves the adult hospitalized

A Missouri resident was infected with a rare brain eaters, perhaps linked to water skiing in Lake Ozarks.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) confirmed the infection on Wednesday.

Unidentified adults are hospitalized in an intensive care unit and treated for primary man (WFP), a fatal infection caused by Naegleria Fowleri, commonly known as the brain’s eating amibe.

Death confirmed by an “amoeban” of the rare and deadly brain in the south of the lake

No other case is suspected in the region at the time, the health agency said in the press release.

Although the patient’s source of exposure has not been confirmed, the DHSS indicated that the patient may have been entirely in skiing in the days preceding the disease.

A Missouri resident (not illustrated) was infected with a rare brain-eaten amibe, perhaps linked to water skiing in Lake Ozarks. (istock)

“Recreational water users must assume that Naegleria Fowleri is present in hot freshwater in the United States; however, infection remains very rare,” said the agency.

Naegleria Fowleri can be a risk when swimming in fresh water, because the amibe can enter through the nose.

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The amibe is the most active in the months when the water temperature remains greater than 77F to July, August and September, according to health officials.

Infection in humans is very rare, with only 167 cases reported from PAM in the United States between 1962 and 2024.

Warning signs to recognize

The initial PAM symptoms usually start about five days after exposure, but they can be noticed earlier.

The first signs generally Include headacheNausea, fever and / or vomiting, indicates the CDC website.

The amibe is the most active in the months when the water temperature remains greater than 77F to July, August and September, according to health officials. (istock)

As the infection progresses, people can feel confusion, stiff neck, disorientation, hallucinations, convulsions and coma.

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“People usually start to feel sick one to 12 days after exposure to water,” said Tammy Lundstrom, chief doctor and infectious disease specialist for Trinity Health in Michigan, Fox News Digital. “The first symptoms should cause a medical assessment because they are also signs of bacterial meningitis. “”

Death can occur between one and 18 days of infection, on average five days.

Infection prevention

To avoid potentially deadly infections, health officials recommended taking precautions during swimming in fresh water.

“Start closed nose, use nose clips or keep your head out of the water when you participate in activities in hot freshwater bodies, especially if you jump or immerse in water,” warned the Missouri health officials.

Unidentified adults is treated for primary amebic meningoencephalite (WFP), a fatal infection caused by Naegleria Fowleri. (istock)

Lundstrom reiterated that it is better to avoid diving into the water during swimming in summer.

“The infection occurs when the water hosting the amoeba rising a person’s nose, usually during swimming,” she said to Fox News Digital. “We do not know why some people are infected and others, even swimming companions, do not do so.”

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Contaminated water consumption has no risk and infection does not spread from one person to another, added Lundstrom.

Because the amibe is in the ground, the CDC also recommends avoiding stirring sediments at the bottom of lakes, ponds and rivers.

Brain eating amoeba treatment

When a patient has been diagnosed with a brain eating amoeba, the treatment generally includes a variety of antifungal drugsas well as antibiotics such as rifampine and azithromycin, according to Lundstrom.

Miltefosin, a new antifungal medication, has been shown to kill Nagleria Fowleri in laboratory tests and have been used to treat certain surviving patients, according to the CDC on its website.

“The infection occurs when the water hosting the amoeba rising a person’s nose.”

“However, the effect of all these drugs on real infected people is unknown due to the high mortality rate,” noted Lundstrom.

Those who experience sudden headaches, fever, steep neck or vomiting – especially if they recently swam in hot freshwater – should look immediately medical careThe CDC recommends.

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Despite the high death rate of infection, Lundstrom highlighted the scarcity of cases.

“Millions of people like to swim each summer, but only a few are infected,” she said.