Fatal Brain-Eating Amoeba Claims Another Victim in Georgia

A resident of Georgia has died from a rare brain-eating amoeba infection, likely acquired while swimming in a freshwater lake or pond. The amoeba, known as Naegleria fowleri, destroys brain tissue and can cause brain swelling and death. It is naturally occurring in warm freshwater bodies and cannot infect people if swallowed or spread from person to person. Symptoms include severe headache, fever, nausea, and vomiting, progressing to a stiff neck, seizures, and coma. The infection can progress rapidly and lead to death within five days. To reduce the risk of infection, individuals are advised to limit water going up their nose while swimming and to avoid jumping or diving into bodies of fresh water.