Public health authorities in Ohio, in the United States, warn of the risks of the “brain-eating” amoeba. In a study published in the Ohio Journal of Public Health, specialists say that the species Naegleria fowleri represents a concern especially for the northern states of the country.
“The increasing incidence of this rare, deadly and often misdiagnosed disease in Northern states raises concerns that N. fowleri is expanding north due to climate change, posing a greater threat to human health in new regions where the PAM [infecção cerebral] has yet to be documented,” say the authors.
The article describes that, historically, cases of N. fowleri in the USA occur in the southern states. However, recent data indicate an increased incidence since 2010 in northern states such as Minnesota, Indiana and Missouri. The incidence of infections is historically rare, with 138 cases of brain inflammation having been reported in the country from 1962 to 2015. Patients were predominantly male (76%) and younger than or equal to 18 years of age (83%).
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Climate change data indicate consistent increases in surface water temperatures, increasing the likelihood that N. fowleri poses a greater threat to human health in regions with a history of occurrence and new locations.
“Despite its rare occurrence, the severity of the disease and the poor prognosis of patients make the increased incidence in northern climates an emerging health concern”, warn the experts.
The researchers emphasize that the increased incidence in northern states combined with the lack of preparation of public health professionals can delay diagnosis and timely treatment.
“The increased incidence of N. fowleri in northern climates is just one of the many ways in which climate change threatens human health and warrants further education from health professionals. Health professionals, especially those working in northern climates, must be prepared for increases in waterborne and vector-borne diseases, air quality problems, extreme weather events, impacts on food production, and water-related deaths and illnesses. temperature”, they warn.
Naegleria fowleri is a free-living amoeba commonly found around the world in warm fresh water (such as lakes, rivers, and hot springs) and in soil. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is the only species of Naegleria known to infect people.
Most of the time, Naegleria fowleri lives in freshwater habitats feeding on bacteria. However, in rare cases, the amoeba can infect humans by entering through the nose during water-related activities. Once in the nose, the amoeba travels to the brain and causes a serious brain infection called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), which is usually fatal, according to the CDC.
Credits: CNN.
