Health specialists and officers have recognized a lethal parasite in the Terrebonne Parish Water System, Louisiana.
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The water system serves about 97,000 residents in the Houma area and is located at 588 Island Road in Montegut, according to the TV station.
DHH asked the affected water system to raise chlorine levels for 60 days to ensure that any remaining amoebas in the system are eliminated.
According to the the Terrebonne Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, the dangerous “brain-eating amoeba” was detected from a water sample at the Terrebonne Consolidated Waterworks District No 1, reports WDSU. A second site tested negative for the amoeba but also had below the required chlorine levels. Two other sites tested negative but met the chloramine requirement.
While the DHH said that the water is safe for consumption, the agency warned local residents not to get water into their nose to prevent the amoeba from entering their body. It is alarming that this dangerous amoeba could make its way through water systems in locals’ homes.
This summer, the amoeba has been found in Ascension Parish and St. Bernard Parish.
A controlled chlorine-burn will be conducted to kill off the organism.
Naegleria fowleri causes a disease called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), which is a brain infection that leads to the destruction of brain tissue. In its early stages, symptoms may be similar to bacterial meningitis. Though infection from Naegleria fowleri amoeba is rare- only a little over 130 confirmed cases since the 1950’s- the pathogen can be found naturally in warm freshwater lakes, rivers and hot springs anywhere in the U.S. Individuals should focus on limiting the amount of water going up their nose. Residents should therefore be cautious when splashing water upon their face, such as when showering, bathing, or cooling off in sprinkler systems or hoses.
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DO keep your swimming pool adequately disinfected before and during use.
