Residents are being urged to be wary water supply quality as risks of emoeba outbreaks increase with the oncoming summer onslaught.
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With the onset of summer, Murrumbidgee Local Health District is alerting people who have their own tank, dam or bore water supply such as on farms, to the risks of an amoeba called Naegleri fowleri.
Director Public Health Tracey Oakman warned Naegleria infects people by entering the body when water containing the amoeba goes up the nose.
“This may occur when people swim, dive or fall into warm unchlorinated water containing Naegleria, or when children play under sprinklers or with hoses using this water, Mrs Oakman said.
“The amoebae travel up the nose to the brain where they infect and destroy brain tissue (called meningoencephalitis).”
“If water contaminated with Naegleria fowleri does go up the nose the chance of contracting infection is still extremely small. Children and young adults appear to be more susceptible to infection than older adults.
“Fortunately the incidence is rare, but can be deadly.” The organism grows best in warm water. There is a risk when the water temperature continually exceeds 20C or seasonally exceeds 30C.
Recommendations to prevent infections:
- Avoid jumping or diving into bodies of warm fresh water or thermal pools
- Keep your head above water in spas, thermal pools and warm fresh water bodies
- Empty and clean small collapsible wading pools and let them dry in the sun after each use
- Ensure swimming pools and spas are adequately chlorinated and well maintained
- Flush stagnant water from hoses before allowing children to play with hoses or sprinklers
- If you are using unchlorinated water:
- Don't allow water to go up your nose when bathing, showering or washing your face
- Supervise children playing with hoses or sprinklers and teach them to not squirt water up their nose.
- Infections do not occur as a result of drinking water contaminated with Naegleria fowleri.
