Detection of brain feeding amoeba in the US water supply system

Dangerous brain-eating amoeba is found at 4 separate points in water sources on the outskirts of New Orleans, USA, after the death of a 4-year-old boy.

Dangerous brain-eating amoeba is found at 4 separate points in water sources on the outskirts of New Orleans, USA, after the death of a 4-year-old boy.

According to Fox News, water testing results in St Bernard County, Louisiana, after the boy died of encephalitis, discovered amoeba eating the brain in the water. Before getting sick, she played water slides.'This is the only time he is exposed to water that is able to penetrate the nose,' said Louisiana epidemiologist Raoult Ratard.

Picture 1 of Detection of brain feeding amoeba in the US water supply system

Dangerous brain-eating amoeba found in the water supply system at St Bernard Parish, Louisiana.(Photo: organicsoul)

After the inspection, the authorities confirmed that the water source was safe to drink, but still rinsed the water supply system with a higher concentration of chlorine. The head of St Bernard, Dave Peralta even drank tap water in a television interview to prove safe water.

Explaining the increase in chlorine in the water supply system, Dave Peralta said: "If there is even a slightest risk, we need to handle the whole system." He said the results Testing should not become a cause of confusion, because not all test sites give a positive result for this deadly amoeba.

Currently, authorities recommend people to be cautious with water sprays, slide and water in ponds. According to Ratard, the only way for amoeba to penetrate the body is through the nasal route. When bathing, water often flows downwards, so do not raise your face under the shower. To make sure amoeba does not exist in the water, make sure there is enough chlorine in the water.

Local schools have also disconnected tap water and closed swimming pools as a precautionary measure. Since the early 1960s, this dangerous parasite has killed about 120 people in the US, most notably the case of a 12-year-old boy in Florida this summer.

Update 14 December 2018
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