With summer right around the corner and Memorial Day approaching, the Florida Department of Health-Orange County recognizes Healthy and Safe Swimming Week (May 21 – 25, 2018).  Everyone plays a role in preventing injuries, drownings and illnesses caused by germs in the water. 

Take precautions when enjoying fresh water activities locally or when traveling abroad, especially swimming in warm freshwater lakes, hot springs, rivers, creeks and ponds to avoid Naegleria fowleri. It’s a naturally occurring amoeba that can be found in any body of fresh water and in poorly maintained swimming pools and hot tubs. The amoeba is not found in salt water.

This amoeba can cause an infection known as primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). Almost always fatal, the amoeba travels up the nose to the brain and spinal cord. This generally happens during activities such as swimming, diving, waterskiing or wakeboarding.

Infections usually occur when it is hot for prolonged periods of time, which results in higher water temperatures and lower water levels.

To prevent infection, avoid activities in untreated fresh water. Keeping your head out of the water, holding your nose shut or using nose clips when engaging in recreational water activities may also decrease your chances of acquiring the infection.

“Hot weather greatly increases freshwater swimming. Warm water can also increase the risk of infection by the Naegleria fowleri amoeba,” said Dr. Kevin Sherin, Health Officer for the Florida Department of Health in Orange County. “Be proactive with health warnings for freshwater activities this summer. Wear nose clips under water to help prevent the rare amoeba infection, and learn to swim before you go in!” 

Although infections are rare, most prove to be fatal. Seek medical care immediately if you develop a sudden onset of fever, headache, stiff neck, and vomiting especially if you have been in warm fresh water within the previous 2 weeks.

People should always assume there is a low level of risk for infection whenever entering warm fresh water.

Below are some tips to help reduce your risk of infection.

• Avoid water-related activities in bodies of warm freshwater, hot springs, and thermally-polluted water such as water around power plants;
• Avoid water-related activities in warm freshwater during periods of high water temperature and low water levels;
• Keep your head out of the water, hold your nose shut or using nose clips when taking part in water-related activities in bodies of warm freshwater such as lakes, rivers, or hot springs; and
• Avoid digging in or stirring up the sediment while taking part in water-related activities in shallow, warm freshwater areas.

For information on the Naegleria fowleri amoeba, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention web site: https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/naegleria/index.html.