Parasitic Meningitis case in Arkansas confirmed

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.thv11.com/news/health/273...nsas-confirmed


Parasitic Meningitis case in Arkansas confirmed
5:47 PM, Jul 25, 2013

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed Thursday afternoon that there is a case of Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis, known more commonly as 'parasitic meningitis,' out of Arkansas. Candice Burns Hoffman with the CDC said there was also a case of this condition reported from Arkansas in 2010.

According to the CDC's website, the condition is usually deadly and the infection typically occurs when people go swimming or diving in warm freshwater places, such as lakes and rivers...

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Parasitic Meningitis case in Arkansas confirmed

Link to last year's thread - US Naegleria fowleri 2012

[Giuseppe]

Re: Parasitic Meningitis case in Arkansas confirmed

[Source: Arkansas Department of Health, full page: (LINK).]


Friday, Jul 26, 2013

ADH Confirms Case of Parasitic Meningitis


Little Rock -- The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) has confirmed a case of a rare form of parasitic meningitis. A case of primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) -- a very rare form of meningitis caused by an ameba associated with warm rivers, lakes and streams -- was confirmed with the assistance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Based on our ongoing investigation, the most likely source of infection is the Willow Springs Water Park. There was another case of PAM possibly connected with Willow Springs in 2010. 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 organism that causes PAM is known as Naegleria fowleri. It is commonly found in warm freshwater and soil all over the world and can cause a rare but severe brain infection that is usually fatal. Naegleria cannot be passed from person-to-person. The organism typically infects people by entering the body through the nose as they are swimming and diving. Individuals cannot be infected with Naegleria by swimming in properly cleaned, maintained and disinfected swimming pools.

While infection with Naegleria can occur anywhere, it usually occurs in the warm southern U.S. From 2003-2012, there have only been 31 reported infections in the U.S. This case is only the sixth case in Arkansas in 40 years.

?We, David and Lou Ann Ratliff, as general management of Willow Springs Water Park, have received new information regarding Naegleria fowleri, and have elected to close the park as of July 25 at the request of the Arkansas Department of Health. Though the odds of contracting Naegleria are extremely low, they are just not good enough to allow our friends or family to swim? said David and Lou Ann Ratliff, owners of Willow Springs.

?For the thousands of people who love Willow Springs, we will be taking this time to determine the feasibility of installing a solid bottom to the lake. We will not ever reopen as a sand bottom lake? said Ratliff. ?We covet your prayers and our Willow Springs family will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers? added Ratliff.

The first symptoms of PAM start one to seven days after initial infection. Early symptoms may include headache, fever, nausea, or vomiting. Later symptoms can include stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, seizures, and hallucinations. After the start of symptoms, the disease progresses rapidly.

?The risk of infection from Naegleria in Arkansas is exceedingly low," said Dirk Haselow, MD, State Epidemiologist at ADH.

?Swimming is a healthy summertime activity, and we do not want to discourage people from swimming,? said Haselow. ?If concerned about Naegleria, avoid swimming, diving or other activities that push water up the nose, especially in natural waters when temperatures are high and water levels are low.?

Some additional precautions you can take while swimming during extremely warm periods include:

• Keep your head out of the water
• Use nose clips or hold the nose shut
• Avoid stirring up dirt or sand at the bottom of shallow freshwater areas

More information about Naegleria fowleri and safe swimming can be found on the CDC website http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/naegleria/

Contact: Office of Health Communications and Marketing, Ed Barham, 501-280-4147


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[Giuseppe]

Re: Parasitic Meningitis case in Arkansas confirmed

[Source: Arkansas Department of Health, full page: (LINK).]


Friday, Jul 26, 2013

ADH Offers Further Guidance on Naegleria


Little Rock -- The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) would like to remind the public that infection from naegleria fowleri, or parasitic meningitis, is very rare.

If you swam at Willow Springs Water Park more than 8 days ago, you are NOT at risk for the infection.

Even if you swam at Willow Springs in the past week, your risk of infection is exceedingly low.

?If you do not have symptoms, there is no test or preventive antibiotic or treatment needed,? said Dirk Haselow, MD, State Epidemiologist at ADH.
Persons with infection will develop symptoms such as fever, vomiting, stiff neck, headache, light sensitivity, irritability, sleepiness, confusion, or mental status changes within 7 days. If you develop two or more of these symptoms, please contact your doctor.

The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) has confirmed a rare case of primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) caused by an ameba associated with warm rivers, lakes and streams. The organism that causes PAM is known as Naegleria fowleri. It is commonly found in warm freshwater and soil all over the world and can cause a rare but severe brain infection that is usually fatal.

Naegleria cannot be passed from person-to-person. The organism typically infects people by entering the body through the nose as they are swimming and diving. Individuals cannot be infected with Naegleria by swimming in properly cleaned, maintained and disinfected swimming pools.

For more information visit: http://www.arkansas.gov/health/newsroom/files/show.php?filename=naegleriafactsheet.pdf


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[Emily]

Arkansas: Girl survives Naegleria fowleri (brain-eating amoeba) with aid of experimental drug, she is second child to contract the amoeba from the same lake in 3 yrs

http://www.katv.com/story/23093505/d...eleased-from-i

Doctor: Kali Hardig released from ICU, beginning months of rehab
Posted: Updated:
By Justin Lewis, Reporter
LITTLE ROCK (KATV) -

Doctors at Arkansas Children's Hospital say a young girl suffering from a rare form of meningitis will be only the third person to survive out of 128 diagnosed.

We've been following the story of Kali Hardig since its believed she acquired the bacteria from a central Arkansas water park three weeks ago.
...
"The amoeba will actually eat away at the tissue; it literally eats the tissues," said Dr. Mark Heulitt. "It is a severe form of meningitis where your brain will be eaten by the amoeba."

Dr. Heulitt is one of Kali's doctors at ACH. He said an experimental drug from Germany is playing a crucial role in Kali's survival, along with the timing of her seeing a doctor, even before she made it to ACH.
...
There is another child who's recently in another children's hospital who they think has naegleria, so the Center for Disease Control directed the hospital to contact us," he continued
...
Officials with the ADH say it is the second case of the rare illness from the same water park in the past three years. The other victim, a 7 year old boy died in 2010. ...

http://www.katv.com/story/23105557/b...or-kali-hardig

Benton community continues to raise money for Kali Hardig
Posted: Aug 11, 2013

[Emily]

Re: Arkansas: Girl survives Naegleria fowleri (brain-eating amoeba) with aid of experimental drug, she is second child to contract the amoeba from the same lake in 3 yrs

An article about the other affected child referred to in the post above has extensive reporting about Kali Hardig, including good news that she has already signed her name and was negative for the amoeba when tested after treatment. (The hospital actually got the new drug from the CDC.)

http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/health/...abelle-florida