Arkansas girl battles brain-eating amoeba

Foxrac

Foxrac

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(CNN) -- A 12-year-old girl in Arkansas is in critical condition after being infected by a rare but deadly brain-eating parasite, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Kali Hardig was admitted to Arkansas Children's Hospital about eight days ago, according to a hospital spokesperson.

Her infection was caused by a microscopic amoeba called Naegleria fowleri, which enters the body through the nose and travels to the brain. It's usually found in people who have been swimming in warm freshwater. You cannot be infected with the organism by drinking contaminated water, the CDC says.

"This infection is one of the most severe infections that we know of. Ninety-nine percent of people who get it die," Dr. Dirk Haselow with the Arkansas Department of Health told CNN affiliate WMCTV.

Willow Springs Water Park in Little Rock, Arkansas, is the most likely source of Hardig's infection, according to a news release from the department of health. Another case of the same parasite, also called primary amebic meningoencephalitis, was reported in 2010, and was also linked to Willow Springs.

"Based on the occurrence of two cases of this rare infection in association with the same body of water and the unique features of the park, the ADH has asked the owner of Willow Springs to voluntarily close the water park to ensure the health and safety of the public," the news release said.

The first symptoms appear one to seven days after infection by the amoeba, including headache, fever, nausea, vomiting and a stiff neck, according to the CDC.

"Later symptoms include confusion, lack of attention to people and surroundings, loss of balance, seizures and hallucinations," the government agency's website states. "After the start of symptoms, the disease progresses rapidly and usually causes death within one to 12 days."

Getting this amoeba is extremely rare. Between 2001 and 2010, there were 32 reported cases, the CDC says. Most of the cases occurred in the Southeast.

Here are some tips from the CDC to help lower your risk of infection:

-- Avoid swimming in freshwater when the water temperature is high and the water level is low.

-- Hold your nose shut or use nose clips.

-- Avoid stirring up the sediment while wading in shallow, warm freshwater areas.

-- If you are irrigating, flushing or rinsing your sinuses (for example, by using a neti pot), use water that has been distilled or sterilized.
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Arkansas girl battles brain-eating amoeba - CNN.com

Oh wow, there is no antibiotic to battle the brain-eating amoeba. :(
 
I read that on CNN... warm water that has been sitting for a long time in the sun is bad news. We have a pop up pool for our backyard and I told my husband that I refuse to let it sit there full of water that has been heated by the summer sun. So, we clean it out every 4 days. There is nothing healthy about swimming in warm water.
 
shel90 said:
I read that on CNN... warm water that has been sitting for a long time in the sun is bad news. We have a pop up pool for our backyard and I told my husband that I refuse to let it sit there full of water that has been heated by the summer sun. So, we clean it out every 4 days. There is nothing healthy about swimming in warm water.
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Yes, the swimming pool seems safe because they contain chemical to kill the flesh.
 
Foxrac said:
Yes, the swimming pool seems safe because they contain chemical to kill the flesh.
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That's why swimming pools are a lot of responsibility. Just a simple pop up pool requires maintenance for health reasons.
 
caz12 said:
poor littlegirl heart go out to parents
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My granddaughter swim in a lake in Maine and so does her parents . The water is so bad you should not get it in your mouth. Now I am really worried , I was already concerned but after seeing this on the news it confirmed my fear.
 
It is sad to see this girl has those condition and there is no antibiotic to battle those bacteria. :(

:ty: for update.
 
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whatdidyousay! said:
My granddaughter swim in a lake in Maine and so does her parents . The water is so bad you should not get it in your mouth. Now I am really worried , I was already concerned but after seeing this on the news it confirmed my fear.
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I'm not sure if they have it up there where the winters are colder.

Found this map, interesting about MN

naegleria-cases-by-state.jpg
 
PowerON said:
Why on Earth are you look up in Australia to find news about what happen in USA? Aren't you live in US?
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I did not look up Australia I just Google 'girl got sick swimming in lake' and clicked on a link . I did not even notice this was from Australia .
 
Lau2046 said:
She's not dead yet. She's still critical....my prayers to the family.

Laura
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And I think the news said 99% of people die that get this. when I saw this on TV I did not heard it was water park on a lake. The water park has been shut down. People are always letting their kids play around the duck pond and the pond has E coli . I tell people this and they could careless so I gave
up trying to warn parents.
 
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