'Brain-eating’ amoeba detected in Aussie waterways: What you need to know
As millions of Aussies sweat through another scorching summer, there’s a rare but fatal threat emerging in Western Australia.
Video transcript
- A brain-eating amoeba has been detected in Australian waterways. Here's what you need to know.
As millions of Aussies sweat through another scorching summer, there's a rare but fatal threat emerging in Western Australia. At least two popular swimming spots were found to harbor a deadly brain-eating bug, forcing swimmers out of the water. And an expert claims it's a very real threat across the nation.
Naegleria fowleri, a deadly amoeba which thrives in heat, was detected in Brunswick Pool during a routine water quality test. Swimmers were also warned to avoid Drakesbrook Weir, as it too was at risk of being contaminated.
Rising temperatures in the current heat wave are to blame for the emergence of the amoeba. Inhaling the bacteria can cause a rare infection, known as amoebic meningitis. And in most cases, it is fatal.
Professor Ian Wright told Yahoo News Australia, it's a horrible, horrible thing. And while it's really, really rare, the consequences are terrible. He said, "You could probably have 1,000 people swim in that waterway and not get it. But if you get infected, it's likely fatal. It takes between one and 18 days to die."
The Western Sydney University professor said accidentally swallowing the water is often fine, but inhaling the pathogen is problematic. Professor Wright said, "It has a really strange pathology. There's some kind of barrier between the nose, nasal cavity, and the brain, and the amoeba can get through."
So just never put your head underwater. Avoid getting water up your nose. That seems like a stupid thing to say, but it's really sensible advice.
WA Health Department water scientist Richard Theobold said a growing number of Freshwater pools might harbor deadly naturally occurring amoebas as the climate gets hotter. And while nothing can be done to avoid it, Aussies can be aware.
Theobold told the ABC, "As the temperatures rise, you'll find that natural water bodies will increase in temperature. So more areas that are nice and warm and fresh, it's more likely that you'll get Naegleria and Naegleria fowleri."
Signs have been erected at a number of swimming spots across the state, warning visitors to stay out of the water. But it's a nationwide problem. Professor Wright warns against swimming in freshwater pools, lakes, rivers, or dams across the country.
He said, "This is a really big problem right across inland Australia. It can get really hot away from the coast. Putting your head underwater is an act of faith in water quality. I will only swim in well-managed, well-treated, chlorinated pools, not freshwater spots."
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