Brain-Eating Amoeba Found in Louisiana Water Supply
The so-called brain eating amoeba, Naegleria fowleri, has been in the news very frequently over the past couple of years. The most recent case involved 12-year-old Kali Hardig who survived the deadly infection and is set to return to school as regularly schedule. However, the newest reports out of Louisiana have residents in terror as it appears that the deadly amoeba has been discovered in St. Bernard Parish’s water supply.
Residents Told Not to Panic
State health officials in Louisiana confirmed the presence of the brain eating amoeba in the water supply, but have told residents that the water is still safe to drink. However, there are also basic safety precautions that residents can take including chlorinating pools and avoiding getting water in their noses. Louisiana state health officials have added additional chlorine to the water supply, and say that it will be several weeks before the amoeba is completely rid from the water system. Low chlorine levels in the water supply previously have apparently let the bacteria thrive.
New Experimental Drug Saved Girl’s Life From Brain-Eating Bacteria Deadly
Brain-eating amoeba travel up the nose, multiply and feed on the brain. The fatality rate is nearly 99%; a 4-year-old boy in Florida tragically lost his battle to amoeba and recently donated his organs. However, doctors are hopeful that an experimental treatment may help to save more lives. The drug that saved Kali’s life has prompted the CDC to expand access to miltefosine, a drug not approved for use in the U.S. but has been prescribed on a case-by-case basis to treat another parasitic infection called leishmaniasis and sometimes breast cancer. The drug is from Germany, and requires that doctors fill out a special form for permission to use it by the FDA . Luckily, the drug came from Germany just in time to save Kali’s life.
