Australia: Dangerous amoeba prompts closure of Serpentine Falls

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews

Officials with Western Australia’s Parks and Wildlife Service announced today that Serpentine Falls, in Serpentine National Park south of Perth, is closed for swimming until further notice.

Water sampling detected the ‘brain-eating amoeba’, Naegleria fowleri, which can cause an infection known as amoebic meningitis, or primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM).

Amoebic meningitis is rare, but can be a fatal disease. Infection occurs where water is forced into a person’s nose at pressure from jumping, falling or diving into the water.

The following symptoms usually occur within 5 days of infection: severe and persistent headache, high fever, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, neck stiffness, confusion and hallucinations, drowsiness or coma.

If you or someone you know has been swimming at Serpentine Falls and are experiencing any of these symptoms, please contact a medical professional.





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