Brain-Eating Amoeba Contracted By Swimmer Who Visited Iowa Lake

TAYLOR COUNTY, IA — A beach in southern Iowa is closed after a Missouri resident who went swimming in the area was confirmed to have contracted a brain-eating amoeba, according to health authorities.

The swimming closure at Lake of Three Fires State Park in Taylor County is precautionary, state officials said. Testing to confirm the presence of the amoeba, called Naegleria fowleri, in the lake is being conducted in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Naegleria fowleri is a microscopic single-celled free-living amoeba that can cause a rare life-threatening brain infection called primary amebic meningoencephalitis, according to authorities. The amoeba is commonly found in warm freshwaters such as lakes, rivers and ponds. However, primary amoebic meningoencephalitis is extremely rare. Since 1962, only 154 known cases have been identified in the U.S.

Infection by Naegleria fowleri can occur if water containing the amoeba enters the body through the nose, at which point the amoeba travels to the brain, where it destroys tissue, officials said. The infection cannot be spread from one person to another, nor can it be contracted by swallowing contaminated water.

People can reduce the risk of infection and limit the amount of water going up the nose by taking steps such as:

• Holding your nose shut, using nose clips, or keeping your head above water in warm freshwater.
• Avoiding water-related activities in warm freshwater during periods of high water temperature.
• Avoiding digging in or stirring up sediment in shallow, warm freshwater.

People who experience the following symptoms after swimming in a warm body of water should contact their health care provider immediately:

• Severe headache
• Fever
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Stiff neck
• Seizures
• Altered mental status
• Hallucinations

For more information about Naegleria fowleri, visit the CDC’s webpage.