Brain-eating amoeba found in Louisiana parish’s water system

Health specialists and officers have recognized a lethal parasite in the Terrebonne Parish Water System, Louisiana. The water system serves 97,000 residents.

It has been confirmed by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals that the Naegleria fowleri amoeba is present in the Schriever Water System in Montegut. This is the third water system in the state to test positive for the amoeba this summer. The parish began the chlorine burn Monday afternoon.

It said the Consolidated Waterworks District No 1 will begin a 60-day chlorine burn to help ensure that any remaining amoeba in the system are eliminated.

This summer, the amoeba has been found in Ascension Parish and St. Bernard Parish.

A free chlorine burn in the area will last for about 60 days, according to state officials. The N. fowleri amoeba was in a water sample taken from a fire hydrant in Pointe Aux Chenesa on August 5, according to CBS New Orleans affiliate WWL. In its early stages, symptoms may be similar to bacterial meningitis.

What they do need to prevent, at all causes is to get the water from the public waterline up their noses, because this is the way that they can get contaminated with the parasite. Residents should therefore be cautious when splashing water upon their face, such as when showering, bathing, or cooling off in sprinkler systems or hoses.

Other precautionary measures also aim to keep water out of the nose.

DO run bath and shower taps and hoses for five minutes before use to flush out the pipes. This is most important the first time you use the tap after the water utility raises the disinfectant level.

DO keep small hard plastic/blow-up pools clean by emptying, scrubbing and allowing them to dry after each use. It’s far more likely that someone would come into contact with an amoeba while swimming in a freshwater lake or river, which has led to recommendations that people use nose clips while swimming.

– Hot tubs/spas: Free chlorine 2 to 4 parts per million or free bromine 4 to 6 ppm and pH 7.2 to 7.8. Do not top off the pool by placing the hose in the body of the pool.