An amoeba infection acquired while swimming in Texas’ Lake Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) has claimed the life of one person.
A Texas resident has lost his life to an amoeba infection affecting the central nervous system after swimming in a lake, health officials said Wednesday.
The person, whose identity has not been released, contracted the rare disease after swimming in Lake Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) earlier this month, the Austin Public Health Department confirmed.
Amoeba infections in natural bodies of water, though rare, can have devastating consequences. Dr. Desmar Walkes, Austin-Travis County Health Authority, warned that “elevated temperatures during the summer create an environment conducive to the growth and proliferation of harmful microorganisms.”
According to Fox News, the water sample from the lake has been sent to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention for analysis. Local authorities highlight the risks associated with swimming in natural bodies of water, including amoeba infections.
Amoebic meningitis
Amoebic meningitis can develop when contaminated freshwater comes into contact with the nasal passages, for example, when jumping into the water or water skiing; amoebae can enter the brain through the nose, according to the MSD manuals website.
These central nervous system infections are extremely rare, with only 39 cases reported in Texas alone between 1962 and 2022.