Health officials are sounding the alarm over two rare but deadly waterborne infections that appear to be surfacing more often: the brain-eating amoeba (Naegleria fowleri) and the flesh-eating bacteria (Vibrio vulnificus). While infections remain uncommon, recent cases have highlighted the dangers for swimmers, skiers, and beachgoers.
Brain-Eating Amoeba in Missouri
A recent case at Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks has placed the spotlight on Naegleria fowleri, which causes primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). The patient, an adult water-skier, is now in intensive care.
Since 1962, only 167 cases have been reported nationwide, but nearly all have been fatal. Health officials caution that infections—once concentrated in southern states—have recently appeared in more northern waters as well. This has raised concerns about wider exposure risks as people spend more time in warm freshwater lakes and rivers.
The amoeba infects people when contaminated water enters the nose, often during activities like swimming, diving, or skiing. Symptoms appear within one to 12 days and start with headache, fever, and nausea. The illness escalates rapidly, leading to confusion, seizures, coma, and, in most cases, death within days.
Prevention tips:
- Use nose clips or hold your nose shut when jumping into freshwater.
- Keep your head above water in warm lakes or ponds.
- Avoid stirring up sediment in shallow, warm areas.
Flesh-Eating Bacteria in Saltwater
Meanwhile, Vibrio vulnificus, sometimes called a flesh-eating bacterium, naturally lives in warm, brackish seawater. While infections are rare, the CDC has documented a rise in cases in recent years, with reports now appearing along coastal areas that historically saw fewer incidents.
The bacteria can cause life-threatening wound infections when cuts or scrapes are exposed to seawater. In high-risk individuals—such as those with weakened immune systems, chronic liver disease, or kidney disease—even minor injuries can lead to rapid tissue destruction and sepsis.
Safety tips:
- Never enter seawater with fresh cuts, scrapes, or open wounds.
- Wear proper footwear to prevent injuries from shells or rocks.
- Those with compromised health should take extra precautions when wading or swimming.
The Bigger Picture
Though the numbers remain very small compared to millions of safe water outings each year, the recent cases underscore an important reality: both amoeba and bacterial infections, while rare, are being reported more often than in decades past. Increased recreational use of lakes, rivers, and coastal waters means more opportunities for exposure. Awareness and prevention remain the best defenses for families eager to enjoy the summer safely.
