Health officials in the US have confirmed the presence of 'brain-eating' amoeba called Naegleria fowleri in the water supply in some areas near New Orleans. The dangerous amoeba enters through the nose of the victim and attacks the brain.
The organism was found in Ascension Parish and St Bernard Parish even in another Louisiana water supply which is alarming the residents. Health officials have confirmed that the water in the area is safe to drink but reminded them to avoid contact with their nose.
Katherine Serpas says, "I would like you to tell everybody exactly how safe we are."
Three people died because of the rare amoeba in Louisiana, with two of the victims located in St. Bernard Paris. The latest 4-year-old old victim acquired the deadly amoeba on a slip and slide while playing.
Despite the efforts of the State health officers, citizens are still worried for their safety and even question the authorities if they are doing anything to address the issue. Dr. Jimmy Guidry, one of the health officers confirms he will not hesitate to drink the water from the area because the organism does not enter through the mouth.
Officials also say that amoeba is present in almost all fresh water bodies in the region. It has always been there even before the incidents where three people died. The new public drinking water surveillance program helped the authorities detect it.
Experts from Australia who have more experience with the rare amoeba have come to help resolve the issue. Officials already begun pouring chlorine in the water supply to kill the deadly pathogen. The chlorine burn will last up to 60 days so residents can smell the chemical in their water.
Health workers also advised people to boil their water to eliminate the risks and prevent it from entering the nose.
