Louisiana Confirms 7-Year-Old Hospitalized With Brain-Eating Amoeba After Lake Claiborne Swim
Updated
Updated · Louisana Illuminator · Aug 19
Louisiana Confirms 7-Year-Old Hospitalized With Brain-Eating Amoeba After Lake Claiborne Swim
3 articles · Updated · Louisana Illuminator · Aug 19
Summary
Louisiana health officials said 7-year-old Lillian Smart of Ruston is hospitalized with a Naegleria fowleri infection likely contracted while swimming in Lake Claiborne.
The amoeba causes primary amoebic meningoencephalitis when contaminated water enters the nose and reaches the brain; swallowing the water does not cause infection.
Symptoms usually begin about 5 days after exposure with headache, fever, nausea and vomiting, then can progress to stiff neck, seizures and coma within 1 to 2 weeks.
CDC data cited in the report put the fatality rate at 97%; the organism is typically found in warm freshwater, not saltwater or properly chlorinated pools.