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ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) – A child has died after being infected with a rare brain-eating amoeba that was found on a Texas wading pool.
Arlington officials said Monday that the City and County of Tarrant County Public Health were informed on September 5 that a child had been hospitalized with primary amebic meningoencephalitis, a rare and often fatal infection.
The boy died on September 11. Health authorities have closed all public fountains in the city.
The boy had been to Don Misenhimer Park on several occasions in recent weeks and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the presence of the amoeba in water samples on Friday.
A city review found deficiencies in water quality testing at several parks.
“These shortcomings have prevented us from meeting our maintenance standards for our splash-proof rinks. All play areas will remain closed until we are satisfied that our systems are functioning as they should, and we have confirmed a maintenance protocol that meets city, county and state standards, ” said Deputy City Manager Lemuel Randolph.
Authorities say the risk of infection with this type of amoeba is very low, with only 34 infections reported in the United States between 2010 and 2019. It infects people when water containing the amoeba enters the body. through the nose, usually when swimming or hot diving. freshwater places, such as lakes and rivers.
In very rare cases, officials say the amoeba has been identified in other sources, such as insufficiently chlorinated pool water or heated and contaminated tap water.
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