The dangerous brain-eating amoeba, Naegleria fowleri, was found in Terrebonne Parish during routine testing, according to the parish officials. Just a few weeks earlier, on July 25, the N. fowleri was found in St. Bernard Parish, as reported in Digital Journal.
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.
The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) informed local parish officials on Monday that the hydrant was located in the Schriever Water System at 588 Island Road, Montegut. The water system serves 97,000 residents.
Consolidated Waterworks District #1 started a 60-day chlorine burn Monday afternoon to make sure any amoeba left in the system is killed. Out of an abundance of caution, the Houma Water System is also going through a 60-day chlorine burn.
This particular incident has raised the hackles of famed consumer activist, Erin Brokovich, who went on her Facebook page to write a scathing diatribe: “You don’t find it if you don’t test for it … has your water utility even tested, no because they are not required to? This is the THIRD community to discover deadly brain-eating amoeba in their DRINKING WATER SYSTEM in weeks. When in the Hell is the USEPA Office of Drinking Water going to wake up and do something … this IS NOT a CDC problem … stop hiding out in your offices in Washington DC, get off your dead asses and get to work.”
According to the CDC, Naegleria fowleri can be found around the world in bodies of warm freshwater, like rivers, lakes, reservoirs, hot springs, and swimming pools that are poorly maintained. N. fowleri grows best at temperatures up to 115 degrees F. but can survive at even warmer temperatures for short periods of time.
N.Fowleri doesn’t really eat the brain but does secrete an enzyme that causes a disease known as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, or PAM. It usually starts with symptoms such as a headache, fever, vomiting, seizures and hallucinations. Of the 133 confirmed cases since 1962, only three people have survived, according to the CDC, says FOX News.
