FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Kevin Cate
September 5, 2007 (850) 245-4111
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH issues
AMOEBIC ENCEPHALITIS ADVISORY FOR FLORIDA FRESHWATER
~~ Second Probable Human Case of Amoebic Encephalitis ~~
TALLAHASSEE- Florida Department of Health (DOH) Surgeon General Ana M.
Viamonte Ros, M.D., M.P.H., today issued a medical advisory for all
freshwater swimming areas in the state of Florida. Two probable human
cases of Amoebic Encephalitis have been identified in Central Florida
residents since August, and there is a heightened concern that
additional residents may become ill. The most recent case resulted in
the death of a Florida child.
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.
"There is an increased risk of infection by this organism in all
freshwater areas throughout Florida, especially during hot summer
months," State Surgeon General Ana M. Viamonte Ros, M.D., M.P.H. said.
"Any kind of water sports or activity such as wakeboarding, water
skiing, swimming or diving puts the public at a greater risk."
The Department of Health is offering the following precautions:
* Wear nose clips or hold your nose when swimming, jumping or
diving in any fresh water - Closed nostrils reduce your risk of
infection by amoeba, a rare but life threatening condition.
* Do not swim in warm standing water, such as ponds, lakes,
storm water retention areas or in areas posted "No Swimming" - Bacteria
and other harmful organisms thrive in warm, standing water. Seek prompt
medical attention if you become ill after swimming in freshwater.
* Avoiding areas with obvious algal blooms - Contact with
algal blooms may cause skin rash, runny nose and burning eyes.
Naegleria is a microscopic amoeba most commonly found in the upper
layer
of sediment in the bottom of lakes and ponds with mud floors. The
threat of infection, although rare, increases during the summer months
when the water temperature rises.
Infection with Naegleria fowleri causes the disease primary amoebic
meningoencephalitis (PAM). The amoeba invades the brain and the
disease
progresses rapidly usually resulting in death within 3 to 7 days. This
infection cannot be spread from person to person or contracted from a
properly maintained swimming pool.
For more information visit
http://www.myfloridaeh.com/community/aquatic/index.html <
http://www.myfloridaeh.com/community/aquatic/index.html> or the CDC
Healthy Swimming website at
http://www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming/ <
http://www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming/> .
###
Linear Mode
