An infection, Naegleria fowleri, is also known as brain-eating amoebas.
The infection is rare, but it has just claimed it’s second victim.
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Second death by brain-eating amoeba in 2022
Naegleria fowleri infections are rare in the US, but it has just claimed the life of a boy from Nebraska. This is the second death by this rare infection this year. Federal health confirmed that the boy in Nebraska died after contracting Naegleria fowleri infection after swimming in a local river.
Following the child’s death, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the presence of the Naegleria fowleri amoeba in the river.
Where were the amoeba detected?
The amoebas were detected in Elkhorn River, which is west of Omaha. It is believed that this is where he became infected with Naegleria fowleri. The amoeba enters through the nostrils while people are swimming.
Is this a common infection?
This is the second death by brain-eating amoebas in the US this year. This infection is very rare, but very lethal. The first recorded death in 2022 was in July. The first case was took place after swimming in Three Fires Lake in southwest Iowa.
The lethality of the infection is 97%. In the US, only 154 cases have been reported in the last 60 years. Of those cases, only four people survived. Worldwide, only 430 cases have been reported.
The main symptoms include: fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, followed by neck stiffness, loss of balance, hallucinations, and convulsions.
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