Deadly Microscopic Bacteria Kills Sixth Swimmer This Summer

LBJ Lakes, TX (AHN) - A 12-year-old Texas boy has become the sixth person this summer to die after swimming in water infested by microscopic amoeba. Jack Herrara was the second victim to die after his brain was attacked by the Naegleria fowleri amoeba in Texas, three of the other victims were in Florida and one was in Arizona.

Until this summer, there were only 24 known cases of the virus in the United States since 1989, the Associated Press reports.

Herrara swam in LBJ Lakes at summer camp and he was believed to have been struck by the amoeba there, officials say.

The microscopic amoeba kills by a swimmer's nose with water and traveling to the brain and spinal cord where the amoeba begins to eat brain tissue until the victim dies.

The disease exhibits flu-like symptoms or a bad headache initially. Most physicians have never seen a case of the disease and need to be told the victim went swimming recently.

While the U.S. Centers for Disease Control says there is no risk from swimming in properly chlorinated water, the amoeba can live in dirty water in a swimming pool. But it is most commonly found in freshwater lakes, rivers or natural springs. It thrives in temperatures of 80 degrees and higher.

"The organism is everywhere," Charles Gerba, a microbiology professor with the University of Arizona's Department of Soil, Water and Environmental Science, was quoted as saying by the Arizona Daily Star. "It feeds on bacteria."

Although it is present in many places and has even been found in many Arizona wells, the organism is harmless if it is drunk. To cause harm it must be snorted, taken in through the nose, experts say.

The Florida Department of Health advises people not to swim in areas that have been posted "no swimming" or that have algae blooms and to wear nose clips when swimming in fresh water.

"Symptoms include headache, fever, nausea and vomiting, stiff neck, confusion, lack of attention to people and surroundings, loss of balance and bodily control, seizures and hallucinations. The public is urged to contact a medical professional immediately if experiencing any of these symptoms," a statement on the FDH reads.