Lake Mead Hot Springs harbors a lethal brain-eating amoeba.
OAN’s Stephanie Stahl
4:01 PM – Friday, October 13, 2023
Nevada officials issue warning about deadly organism found in popular hot spring near Hoover Dam.
The organism, Naegleria fowleri, or N. fowleri, causes a rare infection which destroys brain tissue, resulting in brain swelling. The infection has a 97% fatality rate.
Lake Mead National Recreation Area has issued a statement urging visitors to take precautionary measures.
“Naegleria fowleri has been discovered in hot springs. This amoeba enters through the nose and can cause a deadly infection that leads to a sudden and severe headache, fever, and vomiting,” a spokesperson for Lake Mead said.
The amoeba is a tiny single-celled organism that thrives in warm freshwater environments such as lakes, rivers, and ponds. It cannot survive in saltwater, like the ocean, or in properly treated drinking water and swimming pools. The “brain-eating” amoeba is not transmissible from person to person.
The national recreation area advises visitors to refrain from diving, splashing water, or submerging in hot spring waters.
Health officials state that the amoeba can enter the body through the nasal passage and then migrate through the sinuses to the brain. This triggers a rare and fatal brain infection called “primary amebic meningoencephalitis.”
In the early stages, patients typically experience symptoms such as headaches, fever, nausea, and vomiting. However, in the following days and weeks, they may also suffer from hallucinations and seizures.
Each year, there are millions of encounters with the amoeba, but infections from N. fowleri are rare.
According to the CDC, there were between zero and five diagnosed cases annually from 2013 to 2022. However, the risk of infection is higher during the warmer months, particularly in July, August, and September.
In July, a two-year-old boy died in Nevada after contracting the infection while swimming in Ash Springs. A Georgia resident also died from N. fowleri after reportedly swimming in a freshwater lake or pond.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises swimmers to avoid diving, jumping, submerging their head underwater, or engaging in activities that might lead to water entering their nose.
The brain-eating amoeba is more likely to be present in the sediment at the bottom of the water. Swimmers should avoid stirring up the sediment, according to the CDC.
Infections typically occur in males aged 14 years and younger, although the reasons behind this pattern are unclear.
Some experts suggest that the increased reports of Naegleria fowleri infections may be linked to climate change.
The CDC’s website states that ”rising air temperatures” have led to warmer temperatures in freshwater environments, creating a more favorable environment for the amoeba to thrive.
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Are there any particular demographics that are more susceptible to Naegleria fowleri infections, and what is the potential connection between climate change and the increase in reported cases
Nevada Officials Issue Warning about Deadly Organism Found in Popular Hot Spring near Hoover Dam
LAKE MEAD NATIONAL RECREATION AREA, NV – Nevada officials are urging caution after the discovery of a deadly organism in a popular hot spring near Hoover Dam. The organism, known as Naegleria fowleri or N. fowleri, can cause a rare infection that destroys brain tissue, resulting in brain swelling and having a 97% fatality rate.
In response to the discovery, Lake Mead National Recreation Area has issued a statement urging visitors to take precautionary measures. A spokesperson for Lake Mead emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating, ”Naegleria fowleri has been discovered in hot springs. This amoeba enters through the nose and can cause a deadly infection that leads to a sudden and severe headache, fever, and vomiting.” They further highlighted that the amoeba is a tiny single-celled organism that thrives in warm freshwater environments such as lakes, rivers, and ponds. However, it cannot survive in saltwater or properly treated drinking water and swimming pools. Additionally, it is important to note that the “brain-eating” amoeba is not transmissible from person to person.
To minimize the risk of infection, the national recreation area advises visitors to refrain from activities such as diving, splashing water, or submerging in hot spring waters. Health officials have explained that the amoeba can enter the body through the nasal passage and migrate through the sinuses to the brain, triggering a rare and fatal brain infection called “primary amebic meningoencephalitis.” Symptoms initially include headaches, fever, nausea, and vomiting, but in the later stages, patients may also suffer from hallucinations and seizures.
While millions of encounters with the amoeba occur each year, infections from N. fowleri are rare. According to the CDC, there were between zero and five diagnosed cases annually from 2013 to 2022. However, the risk of infection is higher during the warmer months, particularly in July, August, and September.
Tragically, recent incidents have highlighted the seriousness of the situation. In July, a two-year-old boy died in Nevada after contracting the infection while swimming in Ash Springs. Additionally, a Georgia resident died from N. fowleri after reportedly swimming in a freshwater lake or pond.
To protect swimmers, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises avoiding activities that may lead to water entering the nose, such as diving, jumping, or submerging the head underwater. The CDC also suggests that swimmers should avoid stirring up sediment at the bottom of the water as the brain-eating amoeba is more likely to be present there.
It is worth noting that infections from Naegleria fowleri typically occur in males aged 14 years and younger, although the reasons behind this pattern are unclear. Some experts believe that the increased reports of N. fowleri infections may be linked to climate change, although further research is necessary to confirm this hypothesis.
In light of these developments, it is crucial for Nevada residents and visitors to the area to be aware of the risks associated with hot springs and take necessary precautions to avoid exposure to Naegleria fowleri. By following the guidelines provided by health officials and the CDC, individuals can protect themselves and reduce the chances of infection.
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