What is Naegleria fowleri? A ‘brain-eating amoeba’ that claimed 1st death in South Korea

New Delhi: While the Coronavirus wreaks fresh havoc in China & creates panic across the globe, a deadly ‘brain-eating’ amoeba has been detected in South Korea. Local reports suggest that the ‘brain-eating’ amoeba is behind the death of a 50-year old man in the country.

The man had stayed in Thailand for four months and recently came to Korea on December 10. He died days after returning home and was found to be infected with fatal amoeba named Naegleria fowleri.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) has confirmed the findings.

What is brain-eating amoeba Naegleria fowleri?

Much like other amoeba, Naegleria fowleri is a single-cell living organism and can’t be seem without microscope. This amoeba is found in freshwater including lakes, rivers & soil. Though, there are various species of amoeba, Naegleria fowleri is understood to infect humans and is also fatal.

The amoeba found in freshwater & soil causes a rare & untreatable infection called Primary Amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). Most of the times, the infection is said to be fatal.

According to US-based Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the amoeba enters human brain through the nose & directly damages the nerves as well as core tissues.

How it affects human brain?

PAM is a rare and deadly infection that begins from nose and travels to the brain. Usually, the symptoms don’t appear for 5 days but soon ailments like headache, nausea, stiff neck & seizures star showing up. In severe cases, it can lead to coma and death.

The infected person usually goes undetected as there is no specific diagnostic test for the amoeba. However, when detected, the infected person is given medicines to control inflammation & further complications.

What are symptoms of ‘brain-eating’ amoeba infection?

Though, the disease is rare, some symptoms do indicate its entry into human system.

When a person’s brain contracts this amoeba, he shows symptoms like:
* Fever
* Nausea
* Vomiting
* Stiff neck

In advance cases, the person becomes prone to seizures, hallucinations, & even coma.

The disease is highly fatal. According to US CDS figures, only 4 people out of 154 infected cases could be cured of the amoeba in past 6 decades.