LDH confirms ‘brain-eating’ amoeba present in North Louisiana

MONROE, La. (KNOE) – The Louisiana Department of Health has confirmed a Louisiana resident has been contaminated with a “brain-eating amoeba.”

LDH says the uncommon Naegleria fowleri an infection was most definitely acquired whereas swimming in Lake Claiborne.

Officials say “Naegleria fowleri, often referred to as a brain-eating amoeba, is commonly found in warm freshwater lakes, rivers, canals and ponds throughout the U.S.”

LDH says “it can cause primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a brain infection that may result when water containing the amoeba rushes up the nose and reaches the brain. The infection is extremely rare, but nearly always fatal.”

Officials say Naegleria fowleri can’t infect folks if swallowed and isn’t unfold from individual to individual. They say the amoeba isn’t present in salt water or in correctly maintained and chlorinated swimming pools.

LDH warns signs of Naegleria fowleri an infection usually begin with extreme headache, fever, nausea and vomiting – progressing to stiff neck, seizures and coma that may result in demise.

According to officers, signs normally start about 5 days after an infection however can begin inside 1-12 days.

LDH officers say Naegleria fowleri thrives in heat, recent water and grows finest at increased temperatures as much as 115°F. They affirm the amoeba is of course occurring, and there’s no routine environmental take a look at for Naegleria fowleri in our bodies of water.

According to officers, the chance of an infection is low, however leisure water customers ought to at all times assume there’s a danger after they enter heat recent water.

LDH says you possibly can cut back your danger of an infection by limiting the quantity of water that goes up the nostril.

Recommended precautions embody:

• Use warning when partaking in water-related actions in heat freshwater during times of prolonged excessive warmth. Naegleria fowleri normally happens when temperatures improve for extended durations, leading to increased water temperatures and decrease water ranges.
• Swimmers can cut back their danger by retaining their heads out of the water and utilizing nostril clips or plugging their noses when going underwater.
• Avoid submersing your head in scorching springs and different untreated recent thermal water.
• Avoid digging in or stirring up the sediment whereas participating in water-related actions in shallow, heat freshwater areas.

LDH experiences there have solely been 180 identified instances of Naegleria fowleri infections from 1937 by way of 2025, with Louisiana having three instances throughout that point interval.