Scientists have detected Naegleria fowleri, a “brain-eating” amoeba, in the water at multiple U.S. national parks and recreation areas. Before you recreate in these places (or any other warm freshwater environments, where the deadly organism tends to thrive), it’s best to educate yourself about the risks of N. fowleri.
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A recent study found N. fowleri in waters associated with Lake Mead National Recreation Area (Nevada), Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming), and Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming). This organism is the cause of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), which is almost always fatal.
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The National Park Service (NPS) describes N. fowleri as “a heat-loving single-celled amoeba commonly found in soil and fresh water.” People can become infected by swimming in contaminated water. The organism enters the body through the nose or ear and travels to the brain, causing PAM. Swallowing or ingesting contaminated water is not currently known to cause the infection.
Read the full research study here.
Header stock image of Lake Mead by Peter Blottman Photography/Getty Images
