Rare Brain-Eating Amoeba Found in Louisiana | New Orleans News

A Louisiana resident has fallen ill with a rare, deadly brain infection caused by the “brain-eating amoeba,” likely contracted while swimming in Lake Claiborne. This amoeba, found in warm freshwater lakes and rivers across the U.S., enters through the nose and attacks the brain—often fatally—with symptoms like severe headaches, fever, and seizures. It’s not spread person-to-person, can’t be caught from swallowing water, and isn’t present in saltwater or chlorinated pools. Health officials urge swimmers to keep heads above water or use nose clips, avoid submerging in hot springs or untreated warm water, and steer clear of stirring up sediment in shallow areas. Only about 180 cases have been reported nationwide since 1937—with Louisiana accounting for just three. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/1dbc0f82424b5899