Louisiana public health officials are urging residents to take precautions when swimming in fresh water after a brain-eating amoeba infection in Claiborne Parish. Willis Knighton Health pediatric infectious disease specialist Dr. Joseph Bocchini says the infection occurs when water containing the amoeba gets up your nose.
“It enters through your nose into the nerves that are in your nose; grows back into the brain. That’s why it’s called the brain-eating infection,” Bocchini explained.
Bocchini says the amoeba is a single-celled organism naturally found in fresh water, and it grows more rapidly when temperatures rise.
“The water temperature’s going to be elevated because of the heat that we’ve had, and so any freshwater lake, pond, stream could have this organism within it,” Bocchini noted.
The amoeba is not found in saltwater or properly chlorinated pools.
Bocchini says the only way to get the infection is through nasal exposure. A brain infection cannot occur if the water is swallowed and is not spread person to person. He says take steps to protect yourself when swimming.
“If you go swimming, you could always use nasal clips to prevent water from getting into the nose; be careful not to dive underwater without trying to protect your nose,” Bocchini advised.
He also advises using sterile, distilled water or boiling water for at least a minute for nasal rinses.