'Brain-eating amoeba' Naegleria fowleri confirmed in southern Iowa beach
Officials from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services confirmed Wednesday the presence of Naegleria fowleri in Lake of Three Fires in Taylor county.
Naegleria fowleri — a microscopic, single-celled, free-living amoeba — is typically found in warm freshwaters such as lakes, rivers and ponds. According to a joint press release from DNR and HHS, in rare cases, the amoeba can cause a life-threatening brain infection called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). The infection can occur when water containing the amoeba rushes up the nose and reaches the brain, according to health officials.
The study, conducted in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, confirmed health officials' suspicions that a Missouri resident who died of the infection earlier this month contracted the illness while swimming in the lake.
Iowa officials closed the Lake of Three Fires State Park near Taylor County as a precaution July 7. The patient, who Missouri health officials declined to identify, was being treated for the infection in an intensive care unit before dying.
Now that testing of Lake of Three Fires has been completed, the beach will reopen on Thursday, July 28, with signs indicating the presence of Naegleria fowleri and the risk of PAM, according to the release. No further testing is planned at this time, officials said in the release.
Lisa Cox, communications director from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, previously told the Register that the disease has an approximate fatality rate of 97%.
"Of the 154 known cases of PAM in the United States over the past 60 years, sadly only four have survived," Cox said in an email.
The release stated that infections of PAM are rare, with a total of only 31 cases reported in the United States from 2012 to 2021.
"The low number of infections makes it difficult to know why so few people have been infected compared to the millions of others who used the same or similar waters across the U.S. during the same time period," the release said.
This is the first case of Naegleria fowleri in Iowa since at least 1962, according to the CDC, and possibly ever. Among bordering states since 1962, Minnesota has had two cases and Missouri one, with none reported in Illinois, Nebraska, South Dakota or Wisconsin.
More: Swimming not recommended at these 11 Iowa beaches due to high bacteria levels, DNR says
Symptoms of Naegleria fowleri infection
The infection can cause headaches, fever, nausea and vomiting, according to USA Today. A more developed infection can cause a stiff neck, seizures and coma.
People who experience the following symptoms after swimming in any warm body of water should contact their health care provider immediately, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services previously said in a news release.
Severe headache
Fever
Nausea
Vomiting
Stiff neck
Seizures
Altered mental status
Hallucinations
How to reduce the risk of getting a Naegleria fowleri infection
According to the release, DNR and HHS recommend swimmers assume the parasite is present while swimming in warm freshwaters and take necessary precautions, including:
Avoid diving or jumping into the water, submerging one's head under water, or engaging in other water-related activities that may cause water to go up the nose.
Avoid digging in, or stirring up, the sediment while taking part in water-related activities in shallow, warm freshwater areas.
Hold your nose shut, use nose clips, or keep your head above water when taking part in water-related activities in bodies of warm freshwater.
Avoid water-related activities in warm freshwater during periods of high water temperature.
DNR and HHS noted in the release that people cannot be infected from swimming in a properly maintained pool or from drinking contaminated water.
Virginia Barreda of the Des Moines Register contributed reporting.
Francesca Block is a breaking news reporter at the Des Moines Register. Reach her at FBlock@registermedia.com or on Twitter at @francescablock3.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: 'Brain-eating amoeba' confirmed in southern Iowa lake
