What initially began as an innocent vacation grew into a nightmarish reality. When 13-year old Tanner Lake Wall left for Florida as part of a camping excursion, he complained of unusual symptoms. He was overwhelmed with feelings of nausea, headaches, stiffness, and vomiting. When his parents took their child to a nearby hospital, they received terrible news. A parasitic amoeba known as Naegleria Fowleri compromised the body of Tanner. Unfortunately, there was no cure for this parasite, and Wall later passed away due to worsened conditions. The condition that ultimately took the life of Tanner is a rare and overlooked occurrence, despite the danger it poses.
Although the Naegleria Fowleri is uncommon, researchers have collected sufficient amounts of information. Through countless studies, this species identifies as a "brain-eating amoeba." If contracted, this single-celled organism causes a rare and devastating infection of the brain called the primary amebic meningoencephalitis. It mainly lives in warm freshwater habitats such as lakes, rivers, and hot springs. The more intriguing part of this organism lies in its mode of transmission. While most will assume that swallowing contaminated water can result in a Naegleria infected disease, it is quite the opposite. Instead, this amoeba enters the body through the nose. As it travels through the brain, it further causes PAM, which happens to be fatal. According to the CDC, a chain of symptoms begins to occur like severe headaches, fever, nausea, seizures, altered mental status, hallucinations, and even comas. Most of these signs typically become noticeable a few days after contracting the amoeba, but it worsens at an alarming rate. On average, people die within one to eighteen days after initial symptoms start.
While scientists have continued to conduct studies related to this amoeba over decades, the results are beginning to look promising. In recent years, research suggests that a combination of investigational breast cancer and anti-leishmania drugs may provide the solution. Since both medications combat aggressive forms of illnesses, the combination was administered to a 12-year old girl suffering from brain swelling due to the amoeba. Miraculously, the results were positive as both her brain swelling and fever began to decrease. After some time, the patient made a successful neurological recovery. Although the results have proven to be successful in two other patients, health officials continue searching for an accessible form of treatment.
The heartbreaking story of Tanner Lake Wall is one of 34 cases in the United States dating from 2009 and 2018. However, a resurgence of Naegleria related cases is currently taking place in over eight cities within the state of Texas. After declaring a disaster in these cities, CDC officials tested eleven samples of water and received positive results for all. The data produced from these cities is shocking, as the Naegleria Fowleri is a serious health concern that cannot be taken lightly. With a significantly low survival rate, health officials continue to research and fight to develop cures to such a devastating disease. But for now, it is necessary to stay clear of water sources not made for recreational use, especially during warmer seasons. Since water is a basic necessity, we need to call upon the government to provide sufficient resources to avoid contracting diseases linked to Naegleria Fowleri.
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