A cerebral amoeba confirmed by the death of a New Jersey man

(CNN) –

A New Jersey man who died from a brain infection called amoebic primitive meningoencephalitis was exposed while traveling to BSR Cable Park and the Surf Resort in Waco, Texas, during the summer. Summer, the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District announced Friday.

Water samples collected by local, federal and state health officials earlier this month "found traces of Naegleria fowleri", the amoeba at the origin of the infection, according to the district of health.

Fabrizio Stabile, 29, visited the surf station before developing symptoms in September.

A GoFundMe page launched by his relatives indicates that he was mowing his lawn when he developed a severe migraine. He did not leave the next morning and his symptoms progressed until he was unable to speak coherently or get out of bed. He was rushed to the hospital, where doctors found the amoeba in his cerebrospinal fluid. "The worst scenario was unfolding before our eyes," says the site.

The Ministry of Health concluded that "epidemiological and environmental assessments indicate that exposure probably occurred at this facility".

Although the amoeba itself was not found in the park's water samples, "the presence of fecal indicator organisms, high turbidity, low free chlorine levels and other amoebae that occur with N. fowleri indicate favorable conditions for the growth of N. fowleri ".

The tests were conducted from the Surf Resort, Royal Flush and Lazy River elements of the park. These areas must remain closed until "all health and safety issues have been resolved and resolved appropriately", said the Ministry of Health, adding that the owner of the park is cooperating with and securing the site. used to develop a "comprehensive water quality management plan including current regulations requirements."

The BSR Cable Park website stated on its website that it installed a state-of-the-art filtration system on all three features to ensure they are "as clear and clean as possible".

However, the park interprets the test results in another way: "The water tests come back healthy," proclaimed the website, adding that "comprehensive test results have now confirmed that the tests are safe. BSR Surf Resort's water meets all safety standards. "

BSR also offered his condolences: "On behalf of all BSR Surf Resort staff, our hearts and prayers go out to Fab Stabile's family, friends and the surfing community of New Jersey. has been lost and we are deeply saddened by his loved ones. "

According to the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District, there have been nine cases of primary amoeba meningoencephalitis in Texas since 2005. Data on centers and disease control and prevention from the 1960s indicate that zero and eight cases per year nationally, with five cases in 2016, none last year and no other cases reported this year.

The amoeba, Naegleria fowleri, is found in freshwater bodies such as lakes and hot springs. It infects people by entering the nose and heading to the brain. There, it can cause a cerebral infection that the CDC calls "rare and devastating", called amoebic primitive meningoencephalitis. It's almost always fatal, although a handful of people have survived.

Health officials recommend preventing water from entering your nose when swimming in warm or untreated fresh water, holding it by the nose, keeping it above the nose. water or using a nose clip.