What is brain eating amoeba?  

Dear Reader,

The term “brain-eating amoeba” refers to Naegleria Fowleri, a type of amoeba. This tiny organism lives in warm freshwater, such as lakes and rivers. When brain-eating amoeba gets into the human body through the nose, usually while swimming or diving, it can travel to the brain. When it reaches the brain, it destroys brain tissue, causing a rare but deadly infection called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). It’s important to note that PAM is a rare occurrence, typically associated with swimming or diving in warm freshwater that is contaminated with brain-eating amoeba.

Brain-eating amoeba or Naegleria Fowleri thrives in warm environments. Brain-eating amoeba infection can spread to a person when contaminated water from any of the following sources enters the nose of a person:

•   Warm freshwater (lakes, rivers, ponds)
•   Soil and sediment at the bottom of lakes, rivers, and ponds
•   Naturally hot water (hot springs)
•   Poorly maintained swimming pools, splash pads, and surf parks
•   Tap water
•   Warm water discharge from industrial or power plants
•   Water heaters

You cannot get the brain-eating amoeba infection from:

1. Swallowing water-containing brain-eating amoeba
2. Swimming in properly cleaned and maintained pools

Please note: There is no evidence that the brain-eating amoeba can spread through water vapour or aerosol droplets (e.g., shower mist, humidifier vapour).

Brain eating amoeba infections do not spread from person to person or cause outbreaks.

Hope this helps.