Like swimming in rivers?
 

A parasite known as the "brain-eating amoeba" has claimed its second young American victim this month.

Christian Strickland, a 9-year-old from Henrico County in Virginia contracted an infection after visiting a fishing camp in his state. He died of meningitis on August 5.

This week, health department officials confirmed that the deadly amoeba--officially known as "Naegleria fowleri"--was to blame.

"Sadly, we have had a Naegleria infection in Virginia this summer," Dr. Keri Hall of the Virginia Department of Health, told The Richmond Times-Dispatch. "It's important that people be aware of . . . safe swimming messages."

Earlier this month, Courtney Nash succumbed to the brain-eating amoeba after diving off a dock into the St. John's River at her grandmother's house in Florida.

According to her mother Patricia Nash, Courtney decided before her death to become an orgain donor. "I didn't get my miracle, but she has performed other miracles," Patricia told local station WESH. "If we can save other people's lives so they don't have to go through what I just went though, this could be a blessing in disguise."

Usually found in warm, stagnant water in freshwater lakes, ponds, and rivers, the parasite "enters the nasal passages ... and migrates to the olfactory nerves, eventually invading the brain," according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It almost always causes meningitis. Symptoms include fever, nausea, stiff neck and a frontal headache.

Thirty-two infections of the parasite were reported in the U.S. between 2001 and 2010, CDC spokeswoman Christine Pearson told The Lookout, adding that infections are almost always deadly. That included two children in Phoenix who are thought to have contracted it through the domestic water supply in 2002.

be careful :helpme

full story....

you are still more likely to die at your computer than because of this disease.

Reminds me of years ago at havasu... :\

The other one was in florida: http://www.news.com.au/world/girl-ki...-1226114683491

im not sure but i thought the fish & game or some other agency tested water ways. all the cutbacks maybe they dont do it anymore

that'd suck ass

Those damn amoebas!

I thought Katy Perry was the "brain eating amoeba" that was killing our kids.

32 people in 10 years is pretty rare but the idea of it is still damn scary.

They do but it only takes one to get by in an ocean of water.

where's the lakes down there any good places to fish? i stop by the emu ranch and then grab a bite at dq headed your way :1orglaugh

Just hold your nose when you jump in, and you'll be fine.

Rivers are less risky than ponds.

wear your nose plugs

I only swim in pools.

the madness... I certainly never swim again...

anyone who is actually scared by this needs to wake up and realise there's tons of other things that can happen. Are you going to freak out every time you cut or scrape yourself because you might become infected with flesh eating bacteria and die? Probably not, but I'm sure that is a higher chance than whatever this brain parasite is.

If you read the full article, only three people a year die from this. And it's not only confined to "rivers".

"Earlier this month, Courtney Nash succumbed to the brain-eating amoeba after diving off a dock into the St. John's River at her grandmother's house in Florida."

I grew up in florida...the st. johns has been a poisonous hole for decades...not recommended on the best places to swim list...