Archive Index /Amoeba Dangers (posted: 6/15/11)

Source: Volusia County Health Department
Contact: Stefany Strong, Public Information Officer

DAYTONA BEACH – The Volusia County Health Department reminds residents and tourists about the dangers of the amoeba, Naegleria fowleri, found in fresh water.

Naegleria is a microscopic amoeba most commonly found in the upper layer of sediment in the bottom of lakes and ponds with mud floors. The threat of infection, although rare, increases during the summer months when the water temperature exceeds 80 degrees F when the parasite excysts into its infective trophozoite form.

“The infection occurs when the amoeba enters the body through the nose and travels to the brain and spinal cord while the person is swimming underwater or diving,” said Dr. Bonnie J. Sorensen, director of the Volusia County Health Department.

Symptoms include headache, fever, nausea and vomiting, stiff neck, confusion, lack of attention to people and surroundings, loss of balance and bodily control, seizures and hallucinations.

Naegleria fowleri infection is also called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). This infection cannot be spread from person to person or contracted from a properly maintained swimming pool.

The following precautions are advised to decrease the possibility of infection:

• Avoiding water-related activities in bodies of warm freshwater, hot springs, and thermally-polluted water such as water around power plants.
• Avoiding water-related activities in warm freshwater during periods of high water temperature and low water levels.
• Keeping your head out of the water, holding your nose shut or using nose clips when taking part in water-related activities in bodies of warm freshwater such as lakes, rivers, or hot springs.
• Avoiding digging in or stirring up the sediment while taking part in water-related activities in shallow, warm freshwater areas.

The safest way to prevent infection from an amoeba is to not swim in warm standing water, such as lakes, ponds, poorly maintained swimming pools, storm water holding areas or in places where “no swimming” signs are posted.