What are the symptoms caused by brain-eating amoeba? Rare organism sparks concerns as Lake Mead visitors asked to take caution

Visitors planning on going to Lake Mead are being asked to take extra precautions amid the scare of brain-eating amoeba. They are being warned and asked to avoid any water activity as the brain-eating amoeba aka Naegleria fowleri, or N. fowleri could be present in the water.

The deadly amoeba is microscopic and lives in warm water, like that in Lake Mead. The major concern about this microscopic amoeba is that it can enter the body through the nose when one swims or plays in the water. If it gets inside one's body, it can cause a very rare and serious infection that affects the brain.

If a person starts feeling sick after being in the lake and starts experiencing symptoms like headaches, fever, nausea, or a stiff neck, it is advised to consult a doctor right away. These are the symptoms of the deadly amoeba affecting the person.

---

Lake Mead National Recreation Area officials also raised a warning about the brain-eating amoeba

The officials of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area raised a warning about the rare amoeba. They said that it is mainly found in hot springs and it enters through the nose and causes infection. The early symptoms of this are fever, headache, and nausea.

"A microscopic amoeba, Naegleria fowleri, which can live in hot springs, can cause a rare and deadly infection. The amoeba enters the body through the nose only. Do not dive or submerse your head in warm springs or associated streams," the authorities told Newsweek.

It was reported in July 2023, that two people died due to this deadly amoeba. The two people were infected with this amoeba after taking a dip in a Georgia lake or pond.

---

What does the CDC say about the brain-eating amoeba?

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted that several cases of this deadly amoeba were confirmed in the northern states.

"Since 2010, cases have been confirmed in more northern states such as Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, Indiana, Maryland, and northern California, which suggests a northward expansion of cases," the CDC said.

According to the CDC, swimmers should avoid diving, jumping, or dunking their heads underwater in the affected area. Other than this, swimmers should not try not to stir up the mucky stuff at the bottom of the water because that's where these amoebas like to hide.

CDC experts also said that mostly young boys under the age of 14 tend to get sick from the brain-eating amoeba, although scientists are still figuring out why. It was also mentioned in the CDC's report that the death rate of this deadly amoeba is quite high and it infected 157 people in the US between 1962 and 2022. Of these, only four people were able to survive.