Rare brain-eating amoeba suspected of killing child who swam in Elkhorn River – KETV Omaha

The Douglas County Health Department suspects a rare, brain-eating amoeba led to a child’s death. The UNMC infectious disease expert says there are only a handful of known cases in the U.S. every year, but people should take precautions when swimming in rivers, lakes or streams.

The Nebraska child died after being infected with a rare, brain-eating amoeba. Some people are afraid to get back in the water, even though there are only a handful of known cases in the U.S. every year.

The child was admitted to a hospital within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms and died days later.

Naegleria fowleri is an amoeba that can cause primary amebic meningoencephalitis, a brain infection that is nearly always fatal. People get infected through their nose and suffer from headaches to seizures and die within five days.

Rupp and Douglas County Health say you should take precautions when you’re around rivers, lakes or streams, and avoid digging or stirring up the sediment at the bottom.

The Nebraska health department warned people to use caution when swimming in warm freshwater during prolonged high temperatures and to avoid diving or jumping into the water, submerging the head underwater or engaging in other water-related activities that cause water to go up the nose forcefully.

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