Brain-Eating Amoeba Found in Texas City's Water Supply, Residents Warned

A deadly brain-eating amoeba was found in the Lake Jackson, Texas' water supply, the residents have been warned of using tap water.

The presence of Naegleria fowleri in the public water supply is confirmed through tests. According to BBC, the amoeba can cause an infection of the brain and could be fatal. Between 2009 and 2018, there are only 34 reported cases of infections that are considered rare in the U.S.

Lake Jackson's officials said that they are disinfecting the water supply. However, they don't know how long the disinfection would take. On Friday, eight Texas communities were told not to use their water supply for any reason unless for flushing of toilets. The alert lifted on Saturday for everywhere but Lake Jackson, a city of more than 27,000 residents. 

People could begin using the water, but must boil it first before drinking, authorities in Lake Jackson later announced. Residents were prompted to take other measures, such as not allowing water to go up to their noses when showering or bathing. 

Texas also warned that older adults, children, and people with weak immune systems are particularly vulnerable. The officials are flushing the water system and then carry out tests to ensure the water is safe-to-use.

Out of eight cities alerted regarding the brain-eating amoeba, one of the towns issued a disaster declaration, as per the CNN report. The Texas Commission issued a water advisory on Environmental Quality to residents served by the Brazosport Water Authority.

The advisory reads, "The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality at the direction of the Governor's Office is working with Brazosport Water Authority to resolve the issue as quickly as possible."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the brain-eating amoeba is commonly found in warm lakes, rivers, hot springs, and soil. Naegleria fowleri could also be found in poorly unchlorinated pools, and warm water discharge came from industrial plants. 

The 'Do Not Use Water' Advisory was issued for residents of Lake Jackson, Brazoria, Freeport, Angleton, Richwood, Clute, Oyster Creek, and Rosenberg, Texas, as well as for the Clemens, the Dow Chemical plant in Freeport, and Wayne Scott, Texas Department of Criminal Justice corrections facilities. According to a statement on Twitter, the TCEQ has cleared all except for one location.

An investigation into Texas's water supply began. It started after a six-year-old boy was hospitalized and later on died with amoeba on September 8, Modesto Mundo, Lake Jackson Manager, told reporters. The cause of death was traced back to two possible sources: water emitted from a hose at the boy's home or a water fountain "splash pad" in front of Lake Jackson Civic Center.

The splash pad was immediately closed, and the city authorities hired a private laboratory to run tests on a five-gallon water sample from the fountain. On September 14, the results came back with a negative result for Naegleria fowleri. The CDC contacted for further water testing from the splash pad. 

On September 25, three of the 11 water samples, the Representatives from the Texas Department of Health Services collected tested positive for the brain-eating amoeba. 

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