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Louisiana confirms Naegleria fowleri brain infection in resident who swam in Lake Claiborne
News brief
40 minutes ago.
Stephanie Soucheray, MA
Topics
Misc Emerging Topics
The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) yesterday confirmed Naegleria fowleri infection in a Louisiana resident. The resident most likely acquired the infection while swimming in Lake Claiborne, located in Claiborne Parish in the northern part of the state.
Naegleria fowleri, often called a brain-eating amoeba by the press, can cause primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a brain infection that occurs when tainted water reaches the brain through the nose. It’s most commonly associated with swimming in warm freshwater lakes and ponds, and it can survive in temperatures of up to 115°F.
Fourth Louisiana detection since 1937
Though extremely rare, the infection is almost always fatal. This is the fourth Naegleria fowleri infection documented in Louisiana since 1937.
“Though the risk of infection is low, recreational water users should always assume there is a risk when they enter warm fresh water,” the LDH said. “You can reduce your risk of infection by limiting the amount of water that goes up the nose.”
The amoeba is not transmitted through swallowing water, and is not contagious. From 1937 to 2025, ether have been only 180 known cases of PAM in the United States.
Jalapeno-linked US Salmonella outbreak grows to 431 cases, 57 hospitalizations
News brief
Today at 12:12 p.m.
Mary Van Beusekom, MS
Topics
Salmonella
The US Salmonella outbreak tied to contaminated jalapenos has grown by 86 cases, 21 hospitalizations, and five states, for a total of 431 infections and 57 hospitalizations in 32 states, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced yesterday.
The true number of infections is likely much higher than that reported and may not be limited to the states with known illnesses. “This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella,” the CDC said. “In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported, as it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.”
91% of interviewees reported dining at the same restaurants
The contaminated peppers were grown in Sinaloa, Mexico, and distributed by Coast Citrus Distributors. On August 8, the producer, NatureBest Precut & Produce, voluntarily recalled NatureBest and HEB products containing the tainted jalapenos, including soup mix, pico de gallo, stuffed mushrooms, and diced jalapenos.
The products were distributed to retail outlets in Texas and Louisiana from July 3 to August 5, with symptom onsets of June 19 to August 2. People sickened in the outbreak are 1 to 85 years old.
Of the 224 people interviewed, 91% reported eating at a Mexican-style restaurant before their illness, namely Chipotle Mexican Grill and Qdoba, with meal dates of June 14 to July 16. The CDC has identified 28 illness clusters at restaurants in eight states.
In otherwise healthy people, Salmonella can cause fever, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, and abdominal pain. But young children, frail or older adults, and those with weakened immune systems can experience serious or fatal illness. Rarely, the bacterium gets into the bloodstream, leading to severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis, and arthritis.
ALL BRIEFS
Louisiana confirms Naegleria fowleri brain infection in resident who swam in Lake Claiborne
News brief
40 minutes ago.
Stephanie Soucheray, MA
Topics
Misc Emerging Topics
The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) yesterday confirmed Naegleria fowleri infection in a Louisiana resident. The resident most likely acquired the infection while swimming in Lake Claiborne, located in Claiborne Parish in the northern part of the state.
Naegleria fowleri, often called a brain-eating amoeba by the press, can cause primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a brain infection that occurs when tainted water reaches the brain through the nose. It’s most commonly associated with swimming in warm freshwater lakes and ponds, and it can survive in temperatures of up to 115°F.
Fourth Louisiana detection since 1937
Though extremely rare, the infection is almost always fatal. This is the fourth Naegleria fowleri infection documented in Louisiana since 1937.
“Though the risk of infection is low, recreational water users should always assume there is a risk when they enter warm fresh water,” the LDH said. “You can reduce your risk of infection by limiting the amount of water that goes up the nose.”
The amoeba is not transmitted through swallowing water, and is not contagious. From 1937 to 2025, ether have been only 180 known cases of PAM in the United States.
Jalapeno-linked US Salmonella outbreak grows to 431 cases, 57 hospitalizations
News brief
Today at 12:12 p.m.
Mary Van Beusekom, MS
Topics
Salmonella
The US Salmonella outbreak tied to contaminated jalapenos has grown by 86 cases, 21 hospitalizations, and five states, for a total of 431 infections and 57 hospitalizations in 32 states, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced yesterday.
The true number of infections is likely much higher than that reported and may not be limited to the states with known illnesses. “This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella,” the CDC said. “In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported, as it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.”
91% of interviewees reported dining at the same restaurants
The contaminated peppers were grown in Sinaloa, Mexico, and distributed by Coast Citrus Distributors. On August 8, the producer, NatureBest Precut & Produce, voluntarily recalled NatureBest and HEB products containing the tainted jalapenos, including soup mix, pico de gallo, stuffed mushrooms, and diced jalapenos.
The products were distributed to retail outlets in Texas and Louisiana from July 3 to August 5, with symptom onsets of June 19 to August 2. People sickened in the outbreak are 1 to 85 years old.
Of the 224 people interviewed, 91% reported eating at a Mexican-style restaurant before their illness, namely Chipotle Mexican Grill and Qdoba, with meal dates of June 14 to July 16. The CDC has identified 28 illness clusters at restaurants in eight states.
In otherwise healthy people, Salmonella can cause fever, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, and abdominal pain. But young children, frail or older adults, and those with weakened immune systems can experience serious or fatal illness. Rarely, the bacterium gets into the bloodstream, leading to severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis, and arthritis.
ALL BRIEFS