’99% death rate’: Brain-eating amoeba alert
Authorities are testing for a deadly brain-eating amoeba at a popular swimming spot with locals warned to stay away.
Swimmers have been warned to stay away from a popular swimming lake due to the potential presence of a brain-eating amoeba.
Tests conducted on water at Drakesbrook Weir, in the Shire of Waroona, indicate the possible presence of the Naegleria amoeba.
Further tests are taking place to rule out the presence of the Naegleria Foweri amoeba which causes the fatal disease amoebic meningitis.
The amoeba enters the brain through water thrust up the nose while swimming where it multiplies. The death rate from the amoeba is 99 per cent.
It is the third time this year the weir has been closed due to the risk, The West Australian reports.
Healthy Department managing scientist Richard Theobald told the Reporter in January that the amoeba can be found in children’s padding pools and poorly chlorinated swimming pools.
“If there is nice warm water in a pool with no chlorine but a little bit of dirt, you start to run the risk of amoeba, so that water should be emptied and then refilled regularly,” he said.
“Infection is very rare (but) the death rate is 99 per cent.
“When infected, the amoeba travels to the brain and does what amoeba love to do: multiply and consume.”
There have been three cases of the amoeba in WA since the 1980s.
Locals who are feeling unwell after swimming in the weir are urged to seek medical help.
Originally published as ’99% death rate’: Brain-eating amoeba alert
