Health officials advise public on rare water-borne illness

Following a recent death, nearby Riverside County health officials have issued an advisory for the public to be cautious of exposure to a parasite typically acquired while swimming.

Naegleria fowleri, an amoeba commonly found in warm freshwater lakes and soil, causes a rare but severe brain infection that usually is fatal.

Infections from the parasite are more common during hot summer months but cannot spread from person to person.

Two weeks ago, a Lake Elsinore child died from a brain infection caused by the parasite. Health officials know the child swam in Lake Elsinore several times this summer but it is not possible to determine where the child acquired the organism.

It was Riverside County’s first confirmed case due to the parasite, which enters the body through the nose while people swim.

Precautions that might reduce to the risk of infection include:

• Avoiding water-related activities in bodies of warm fresh water, hot springs and thermally polluted water such as water around power plants.

• Avoiding water-related activities in fresh water when water temperatures are high and water levels are low.

• Holding the nose shut or using nose clips while taking part in water-related activities in bodies of warm fresh water such as lakes, rivers or hot springs.

• Avoiding digging into or stirring up sediment while taking part in water-related activities in shallow, warm freshwater areas.

Visit http://www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming for further information.