[news] Health officers tell of swimming risks

A deadly amoeba that killed a Brevard County teenager last weekend may be present in any warm freshwater lake, pond or river in Florida this time of year.

ST. PETERSBURG - A deadly amoeba that killed a Brevard County teenager last weekend may be present in any warm freshwater lake, pond or river in Florida this time of year.

"We want people to be aware of these risks, because they certainly do not want more deaths," said Andrea Castillo, the Pinellas County Public Health Department's health services manager.

Doctors believe that 16-year-old Courtney Nash contracted the Naegleria fowleri amoeba while swimming in the San Juan River with his family.

Infection N. fowleri can cause inflammation of the rare but serious brain, primary amoebic meningoencephalitis. Nash symptoms including severe headache and fever. She died Saturday.

The last confirmed case of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis was a pensioner of 22 years old Orlando wakes up in 2009. In 2007, three Central Florida children died from the infection.

The microscopic organisms live in the sediment of freshwater bodies. Warm temperatures to activate it, which poses a threat to swimmers. The amoeba usually enters through the nose of the swimmer. Infection or PAM, stroke victim and spinal cord. Symptoms begin one to seven days after infection.


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[news] Brain-eating amoeba: 2nd prey in previous month

Amebic meningoencephalitis due to Naegleria fowleri 

(CBS News) The news that a Virginia boy 9 years old, recently died of a brain infection linked to a waterborne "brain-eating amoeba" is intended to raise concerns such as water- lovers find a way to cool off in the dog days of summer.

Autopsy results confirmed the cause of death as an inflammation of the brain and its lining. The victim's mother said the boy, Christian Alexander Strickland, had attended a fishing camp in several places the week before he died.

"It's important that people be aware of the messages ... swim safely," said Dr. Keri Hall, state epidemiologist in the Department of Health of Virginia, Richmond Times-Dispatch in a statement.

It is the second death in the last month on the same parasitic infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which confirmed that a Floridan 16 years old, Courtney Nash, died Saturday, shortly after swimming in the San Juan River.

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