Patient dies from brain-eating amoeba at South Carolina children’s hospital
A recent tragic case in South Carolina has highlighted the dangers posed by the brain-eating amoeba, as authorities confirmed that a patient has died after being exposed to the organism. The patient, who has not been publicly identified, was likely infected with Naegleria fowleri at Lake Murray, which is located just outside of Columbia. This exposure reportedly occurred in early July, according to the South Carolina Department of Public Health.
Naegleria fowleri is a unicellular organism that flourishes in warm freshwater environments such as lakes, rivers, and hot springs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describes it as a “brain-eating amoeba” due to its ability to infect the brain and cause severe tissue destruction. The infection, known as primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), occurs when water containing the amoeba is introduced through the nose, allowing the organism to travel to the brain. While instances of PAM are exceedingly rare, they are frequently fatal, with a survival rate of less than 3%.
On Tuesday, Prisma Health Children’s Hospital-Midlands confirmed the death of the patient due to the infection. Dr. Anna-Kathryn Burch, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at the hospital, remarked on the gravity of the situation, stating that over 97% of PAM cases reported since the 1960s have resulted in death. Statistics from the CDC indicate that fewer than 10 individuals in the United States are diagnosed with PAM annually, with nearly all of these cases culminating in fatal outcomes.
The risks associated with Naegleria fowleri are compounded by various recreational activities involving warm freshwater. Last month, a 71-year-old woman from Texas succumbed to the same amoeba after using tap water to flush her sinuses, further underscoring the potential hazards of improper water use.
In a historical context, the last reported case in New York occurred in 2016, when a 19-year-old woman from Kingston died shortly after contracting the amoeba while swimming in a Maryland river.
Authorities continue to emphasize awareness of the amoeba, particularly among those engaging in water-related activities, to mitigate the risks posed by this lethal organism. As public health officials investigate and address these hazards, the tragic case serves as a somber reminder of the dangers associated with waterborne pathogens.
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