South Korea reports first death from ‘brain-eating amoeba’ infection

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South Korean Health Authorities has reported first death by ‘Brain Eating Amoeba’. The  Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) as per Yonhap news agency confirmed that a 50-year-old Korean man who had recently returned from Thailand died from the disease.

What is ‘Brain eating Amoeba’?

The brain eating amoeba is a microscopic unicellular organism. Brain eating amoeba has scientific name : ‘Naegleria fowleri’.

Where brain eating amoeba is found?

Brain eating amoeba is found in warm freshwater lakes, rivers and hot springs.

When was the first infection was reported from Brain Eating amoeba?

The first known infection from the disease was reported in the United States in 1937. A total of 381 Naegleria fowleri cases have been reported as of 2018 in the world including in the US, India and Thailand.

How Brain eating amoeba enters the body and its after effects?

The nose pathway is used by the brain eating amoeba to enter the human body. Swimming, diving or dunking in infected waters can lead to eating of amoeba. Using infected water to clean nasal pathways can also lead to infection.

Then Brain eating amoeba enters the brain cavity where it slowly destroys brain tissue and causes a rare but usually fatal infection called Primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM).

Is brain eating amoeba infection communicable disease?

No, human to human transmission are very low. But people are advised not to swim or use water where the disease has broken out.

At what temperature brain eating amoeba thrives?

The brain eating amoeba mainly thrives in warm water and heat and grows best in high temperatures up to 115°F (46°C) but can at times survive warmer temperatures.

What are the symptoms for the infections caused by Brain Eating Amoeba?

The symptoms normally start after about five days of infection include fever, nausea and vomiting. At a later stage of infection  stiff neck, confusion, lack of attention to people and surroundings, seizures, hallucinations, and coma occur. Ultimately it destroys brain tissue, causing swelling in the brain and ultimately death. Normally death occurs within 5 days of infection.

There is no cure of the infection caused by Brain eating Amoeba. The infection has 97% fatality rate.

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