Health experts are advising 200,000 Florida residents not to wash their faces with tap water after a man died of a brain-eating amoeba.
Officials believe the unnamed Charlotte County man died after flushing his sinuses with tap water contaminated with the microscopic pathogen.
Dr. University of Florida infectious disease expert Mobeen Rathore told DailyMail.com that county residents should avoid exposing their noses to tap water — even while showering — until “officials have given the all clear.”
“Unless it is cleaned up [by local health authorities] Water in the nose should be avoided – at least for now. “Avoid getting anything in your nose while showering.”
His comments were endorsed by dr. Anjan Debnath, parasite expert at the University of California, San Diego.
Dr. Mobeen Rathore (left), an infectious disease expert from the University of Florida, said people should not wash their noses with tap water. DR Anjan Debnath (right) said chlorine must be strong enough to treat the water and kill the amoebae
Both experts stress that the likelihood of an amoeba infection is small – only about 160 have been detected in American history.
Most cases have been traced to people swimming in warm, open water where the single-celled organism thrives.
Local health officials in Charlotte County, about 70 miles south of Tampa, told DailyMail.com they are investigating the source of the possible contamination.
“Naegleria fowleri infection is rare and can only happen when amoeba-contaminated water enters the body through the nose,” a spokesperson for the Florida Department of Health told DailyMail.com.
The Florida resident reportedly contracted the infection while flushing his sinuses.
Sinus irrigation is a practice in which a person blows water into their nose through one nostril and out the other to remove mucus and other debris.
Local officials advise residents to boil water for at least a minute before using it to wash their noses to kill any remaining bacteria or harmful chemicals.
There are processes that prevent the amoeba from getting into your tap from groundwater.
A Florida man dies of a brain-eating infection after flushing his nose with tap water
The unnamed man was killed by the amoeba – a single-celled organism – on 20 February
DR Debnath said tap water for these practices should be avoided at all costs because of the ongoing risk – however small – of contaminants such as the amoeba.
When someone needs to wash their nose, Dr. Instead, he should boil his water first and use a salt solution to disinfect the water or distilled water.
Dr. Rathore explains that these amoebas, scientifically known as Naegleria fowleri, occur naturally in groundwater that ends up being used in faucets around your home.
“It is part of the water supply,” he explained.
“It is in the soil, in the water, in the sediment of the water. It’s not pollution in natural reservoirs, it’s part of it.”
First, water made of coagulation chemicals – such as salts, iron or aluminum – is applied, which increases the size of any particles left behind in the water, such as dirt.
These particles are then removed by sedimentation and filtration, which separates the heavy particles from the bulk material.
Finally, the water is treated with a disinfectant – often chlorine – to kill any remaining bacteria or amoebae.
Dr. Debnath said chlorine is strong enough to kill the amoebae.
“Typically, drinking water is treated with chlorine, and chlorine kills amoebae quite well,” he explained.
“Chlorine can kill very effectively.”
However, this is not the first time the amoeba has found its way into city-controlled water.
Louisiana was known to have several problems with the deadly organism found in its water supply.
In 2011, two Louisianans died in their homes due to contaminated water. Another unnamed child died in 2013.
Still, modern water treatment should be enough to keep people safe, experts say.
The US has only had about 160 confirmed or suspected cases of the brain-eating amoeba since it was first detected in 1962
Dr. Debnath also pointed out that some religious practices can also be risky, such as when Muslims perform sinus cleansing before prayer.
But this also applies to showering, general washing of the face, and any other time a person runs tap water up their nose.
While the brain-eating amoeba itself cannot cause any harm if it enters through the mouth, other contaminants can.
When Charlotte County’s public water supply is undersupplied, there’s a risk of organisms lurking that can wreak havoc as intoxication lurks.
“As an organism [is] fail [by] the water purification system… efforts must be [enhanced] to make sure others are not,” said dr. Rathore.
“You cannot become infected by drinking tap water … As part of a multi-agency response, DOH-Charlotte continues to investigate how this infection occurred and is working with local public utilities to identify possible links and to take the necessary corrective action.” “Take action.”
They are also concerned that the case is coming up so early in the year. Brain-eating amoebic infections almost always occur in the summer, as the organism thrives in a warm environment.
While Florida doesn’t suffer from the brutally cold temperatures of much of the rest of America, the state usually isn’t warm enough to toast during these winter months.
Dr. Debnath explained that the amoeba can live in colder winter temperatures, but struggles to replicate and spread.
Dr. Rathore points to climate change as a possible cause, as abnormal weather patterns can cause the amoeba to appear at unexpected times.
Source link
Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
