California Woman Catches Fatal Brain Eating Bug After Swim

A 21-year-old from California succumbed to a rare infection she caught while swimming in a pool.

According to Daily Mail, the woman died on June 20, four days after she woke up with a headache. Her headache increased and other symptoms including fever resulted in hospitalization. Her conditions worsened until she suffered a cardiac arrest and died. The woman had contracted the deadly but rare amoeba Naegleria Fowleri while swimming in a private pool.

Naegleria Fowleri usually enters the body through the nose and makes it way to the brain where it destroys brain tissue. It also causes a condition called Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), disorder involving swelling of the brain. The infection is almost always fatal.

Health officials said there is no risk to the public as the infection occurred on private land in Reno, Nevada. Inyo official who confirmed the death said that they would inspect the property where the inspection is said to have occurred and check water supply.

Naegleria Fowleri infections are rare. Since 1962 there have been only 126 reported cases in the US. However given high mortality rate associated with infections, health officials warn people to avoid fresh water bodies in summers as the amoeba thrives in warm water. There is also a risk of infection in pools inadequately treated with chlorine. Infection has also been reported due to contaminated tap water. In most cases, a person catches the infection when swimming.