Cerebral Amoeba: What You Need to Know

29 year old man died of what is commonly called a "cerebral amoeba" after visiting a surf center in central Texas. Fabrizio Stabile, a surfer from New Jersey, died on September 21st after falling ill with Naegleria fowleri, a rare but deadly amoeba that can cause a brain infection.

CBS affiliate KBTX-TV announced Tuesday that the BSR Cable Park Surf Resort in Waco, Texas, has closed while the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tests for the amoeba.

"The CDC have collected water samples and are currently studying to find the source, and we hope to see results by the end of the week," said Kelly Craine, Public Health District Spokesperson. County of Waco-McLennan.

The owner of the complex, Stuart E. Parsons Jr., said that Stabile had been in the park's wave pool. He indicated that he would continue to comply with requests related to the investigation into Stabile's death.

An obituary published in the Atlantic City press described Stabile as an outdoor enthusiast who loved fishing, surfing and snowboarding.

What is Naegleria fowleri?

Stabile's death raises questions about the cerebral amoeba. Naegleria fowleri is a unicellular living organism commonly found in warm fresh waters such as lakes, rivers, hot springs and soil.

Infection at Naegleria fowleri can lead to a condition called amoebic primary meningoencephalitis (PAM), a disease of the central nervous system, which is almost always fatal.

In the United States, only 4 out of 143 people survived the infection from 1962 to 2017, according to the CDC.

How are people infected with Naegleria fowleri?

The amoeba affects people when contaminated water enters the body through the nose. A person can not be infected by swallowing water contaminated with Naegleria fowleri. The infection can only occur when the infected water goes up the nose.

This usually happens when people go swimming or diving in freshwater lakes and rivers.

The infection can not be transmitted from one person to another.

How frequent is Naegleria fowleri?

Naegleria fowleri is commonly found in the southern states of the United States during the summer months. However, recently it has also been discovered and caused infections in some northern states. Although the infection is rare, people should be aware of the low level risk when they swim in lakes, rivers and hot springs of fresh water.

Naegleria fowleri grows best at high temperatures up to 115 degrees Fahrenheit and can survive for short periods at higher temperatures.

What are the symptoms of an infection?

Symptoms of Naegleria fowleri include severe headache, fever, nausea, and vomiting. Subsequent symptoms may also include stiff neck, seizures, altered mental status, hallucinations, and coma.

Signs of infection usually begin a few days after swimming or other nasal exposure to contaminated water. People die within 1 to 18 days after the onset of symptoms.

Anyone with symptoms – especially if they have recently swam in fresh, warm water – should seek immediate medical attention. Experimental drugs are promising in the laboratory. The four people who survived the infection caught it at the very beginning.

How can I reduce the risk of infection with Naegleria fowleri?

Recreational water users must assume that the risk is low when they swim, dive or water ski in fresh water. To reduce the risk of infection, close your nose or use nose clips when you visit lakes, rivers and hot springs of fresh water.