Global Net Report : Texas officials on Saturday lifted a warning for all but one Houston-area community to stop using tap water because it might be tainted with a deadly brain-eating microbe.
Residents of Lake Jackson in Texas in the United States have been told to be careful not to drink water from transmission lines. Deadly ‘brain-eating’ amoeba has been found in this water. According to a BBC report, the tests confirmed the presence of a single-celled animal called Nigleria fowleri in the water supply system. That amoeba causes a brain infection, which can be fatal.
However, in the United States, the rate of Nigeria fowler infection is very low. From 2009 to 2018, 34 people have been infected. Officials in the Lake Jackson area say they are disinfecting the water transmission line. They could not say how long this work will take.
Lake Jackson officials said people in the area can now use the water. However, it must be boiled before drinking. In addition, care should be taken so that water does not enter the nose during bathing. People with low immunity, such as children and the elderly, are more at risk.
Modesto Mando, manager of Lake Johnson City, said tests on the water supply line began earlier this month after a six-year-old died of a brain infection.
Named Nigeria Flowery, the amoeba spreads through contaminated water. Through the water, the amoeba enters the brain through the nose and destroys the nerves. Such amoebae live in warm rivers, ponds, lakes and springs. Apart from this, such amoebae are also found in the soil and swimming pools where warm water falls in industries.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), such infections can occur when people swim in warm freshwater areas.
If this amoeba enters the brain, no serious symptoms are seen. Early symptoms include mild headache, neck pain, fever and abdominal pain.
