OSDH rules out deadly organism as cause of illness in Bartlesville
The Oklahoma State Department of Health has ruled out Naegleria fowleri − commonly known as a "brain-eating amoeba − as the cause of a cluster of illnesses in the Bartlesville area.
"Initial testing has been negative for Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis, or PAM, caused by the organism Naegleria fowleri," OSDH said in a statement Thursday.
The department is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and healthcare providers to investigate and test several individuals who have become sickened after swimming in the Caney River or Copan Lake.
OSDH urges individuals who feel ill to reach out to their healthcare provider and discuss their symptoms. The department said their provider will then work with them to determine treatment and testing based on their individual presentations, if necessary.
Both the City of Bartlesville and Oklahoma's Department of Environmental Quality has assured the public that drinking water in the area is safe for consumption.
"The water treatment plant is designed to remove and kill virus, pathogens and bacteria that may be present in our raw water sources," Terry Lauritsen, city water utilities director, said. "The safety of our drinking water is of the utmost importance. City staff tests and monitors the water 24 hours a day, seven days a week to ensure that the water is safe and meets all federal and state standards."
OSDH is working closely both DEQ and the Army Corps of Engineers as part of its investigation.
Officials say that reduced stream and river flows can increase the concentration of pollutants in water and cause stagnation. They encourage people to practice safe swimming practices when going into lakes and rivers, especially in drought conditions.
Healthy swimming behaviors include the following:
• Avoid getting water up your nose. Using nose clips will prevent the water fromentering the nose.• Don’t swim when you have diarrhea. You can spread organisms in the water andmake other people sick.• Don’t swallow pool or lake water. In fact, avoid getting water in your mouth.• Practice good hygiene: shower before swimming and wash your hands after using the toilet or changing diapers. Take children on bathroom breaks or change diapers often. Change diapers in a bathroom and not at poolside. Wash your child thoroughly with soap and water before swimming.• Avoid swimming in a pool that has cloudy or off-colored water. It is especially important not to swim in a pool when you cannot see the main bottom drain.
For more information about safe swimming practices, visit the OSDH website.
This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: Health department rules out deadly organism as cause of illness in Bartlesville
