While the world is still struggling to fight COVID-19, South Korea has reported an infection caused allegedly by brain-eating amoeba
Naegleria fowleri infection is the scientific/botanical name of the disease caused by the brain-eating amoeba
South Korea has reported the first case of Naegleria fowleri infection that has killed a man in his 50s. He was likely exposed to the brain-eating amoeba in Thailand
Naegleria is a single-celled living organism that is microscopic in existence. The free-living ameba is found all across freshwater systems, including lakes, rivers, and soil
According to the US-based Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Naegleria fowleri, the amoeba, infiltrates people through the nose and travels up to the brain, hitting core tissues and damaging the nerves at times
The infections usually happen when temperatures are hot, which results in higher water temperatures and lower water levels
The patient affected with the brain-eating amoeba starts to show symptoms of meningitis. They are:
- Frontal headache
- Fever
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stiff neck
If it gets serious, the condition in naegleria fowleri infection could lead to seizures, altered mental status, hallucinations, and even coma
No, the Naegleria fowleri infection cannot be spread from one person to another, making it a non-communicable disease
While certain treatments and medications are available, a long-lasting, effective cure has not yet been found for the Naegleria fowleri infection
Produced by: Sonali
Designed by: Mohsin