Death from Brain-Eating Amoeba Reported in America

The Georgia Department of Public Health has reported that a resident, who is believed to have contracted the infection while swimming in a freshwater lake or pond, has died from a rare brain-eating amoeba infection. The public health statement read: "A resident of Georgia has died from a Naegleria fowleri infection, which is a rare infection that destroys brain tissue, causes brain swelling, and typically leads to death." The statement further added: "It is likely that the person became infected while swimming in a lake or freshwater pond in Georgia." Naegleria fowleri is a parasite known as an amoeba that lives in warm freshwater sources such as lakes, rivers, ponds, and hot springs. According to the statement, the amoeba is not found in saltwater, properly treated drinking water, or swimming pools. Before this recently confirmed case of Naegleria fowleri infection, five other cases had been recorded in Georgia since 1962.