Naegleria fowleri and Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis

What is Naegleria fowleri What are the symptoms? and Primary Amebic Symptoms of PAM usually start about 5 Meningoencephalitis? days after infection. Symptoms can be mild at first, but worsen very quickly. In its Naegleria (nigh-GLEER-E-uh) is an ameba early stages, symptoms may include: commonly found in warm freshwater and soil. Only one species of Naegleria infects ▪ headache people, Naegleria fowleri. It causes a very ▪ fever rare but severe brain infection called ▪ nausea Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis ▪ vomiting (PAM), which is often fatal. Later symptoms may include: How does someone ▪ stiff neck ▪ confusion become infected? ▪ lack of attention to people and Naegleria fowleri infects people by surroundings entering the body through the nose. The ▪ loss of balance ameba travels up the nose to the brain ▪ seizures where it destroys the brain tissue. ▪ hallucinations Generally, this happens when people go After symptoms begin, the disease can swimming or diving in warm freshwater, move quickly and cause death within such as lakes or rivers. about 5 days. More rarely, infections have been People should seek medical care reported when people flush their sinuses immediately whenever they have a with tap water contaminated with sudden fever, headache, stiff neck, and Naegleria fowleri. You cannot be infected vomiting - particularly if they have been in by drinking contaminated water or warm fresh water within the previous 2 swimming in a properly cleaned, weeks. maintained, and disinfected swimming pool. PAM cannot be spread from person- to-person.

NAEGLERIA FOWLERI AND PRIMARY AMEBIC MENINGOENCEPHALITIS Where and when is it How do you prevent it? most commonly found? The only sure way to prevent PAM is to Naegleria fowleri is found around the avoid participation in freshwater-related world, often in warm or hot freshwater activities. You can reduce the risk of PAM (lakes, rivers, and hot springs). It is by limiting the amount of water going up commonly found in lakes in southern-tier the nose. When taking part in water- states, but has caused infections in more related activities in bodies of warm northern states, including Minnesota. The freshwater: ameba grows best in warm or hot water. ▪ Avoid warm freshwater when the While infections with Naegleria fowleri water temperature is high and the are rare, they occur mainly during the water level is low. summer months of July, August, and ▪ Avoid putting your head under the September. Infections usually occur when water. it is hot for prolonged periods of time, ▪ Hold your nose shut or use nose clips. which results in higher water ▪ Avoid digging or stirring up the temperatures and lower water levels. sediment. Infections can increase during heat wave If you are making a solution for flushing or years. It grows best at higher rinsing your sinuses, use safe water to temperatures (up to 115°F) and when it is protect yourself: hot for extended periods of time. It can survive for short periods of time at higher ▪ Boil water for 1 minute and let cool, or temperatures. It is less likely to be found ▪ Filter water using a filter designed to in the water as temperatures decline. remove water-loving germs; the absolute pore size should be 1 micron or smaller, or How do you know if a lake ▪ Buy and use only water labeled has this ameba? distilled or sterile. Unfortunately, there is no rapid, ▪ Rinse any devices after use with safe standardized test to detect Naegleria water and let the device air dry fowleri in water. Recreational water users entirely. should assume that Naegleria fowleri is present in warm freshwater and that there will always be a low level risk of 3/2018 infection when entering these waters. To obtain this information in a different format, Limiting the amount of water that goes up call: 651-201-5414. Printed on recycled paper. your nose and following the prevention suggestions will help reduce your risk.

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