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NEWS > HEALTH > DOCTORS URGE PEOPLE TO AVOID BRAIN-EATING AMOEBA
DOCTORS URGE PEOPLE TO AVOID BRAIN-EATING AMOEBA
August 21 2011
Nashville, TN – A trip to the local watering hole used to be a simple thing. The worst thing that happened to most people was a little water in the ears and a sunburn, but now swimmers throughout the United States have a whole new worry when going out for a dip.
At least three people have died this summer from brain-eating amoeba once thought to be incredibly rare. The sudden spike in deaths has concerned many medical professionals not only that the amoeba on the rise, but that it may be becoming more potent exactly because people are not taking proper precautions.
In light of those deaths, doctors are urging swimmers across the country to plug their noses when going swimming, which prevents the quickest way for the amoeba to spread. Thus far, however, few people are heeding those warnings leading many doctors to worry that future versions of the brain-eating bug may become more virulent and deadly, knowing that they can easily infect human beings.
“Amoeba’s are like any other form of life. When they see an opportunity, they exploit it. It is a basic tenet of evolutionary biology that species will evolve to exploit avenues
for growth no matter where they lie. If they have found a warm and accommodating host in humans, this species will move to exploit that,” said Scrape TV Medical analyst
Dr. Phillip Waites. “Much like feeding seagulls, the species will learn and adapt and take whatever advantage it can. This amoeba has suddenly proven itself to be more deadly than in years past which suggests it has found its niche.”
A 9-year old boy in Virginia and a 16-year old girl in Florida are among this summer’s victims of the brain-eating parasite. The disease it causes, primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, is almost always fatal.
“People like to swim, and that won’t change. This amoeba, though, has realized that it can easily enter humans and will continue to do so until it is stopped. Unfortunately, few people will take precautions which could end up endangering us all,” continued Waites. “People not taking action has made this bug stronger and more aggressive which means it may well be unstoppable at this stage. If people continue to swim recklessly this bug will continue to evolve and become stronger, eventually making all water unswimmable, unless you want your brain eaten.”
The human brain is required for almost all activities inside or outside the water.
“We have made this creature, and it is up to us to stop it. Hopefully by taking action now we can stop its evolution where it stands now. All it requires is nose lugs, which is little to ask if it prevents your brain from being eaten. Your brain and your friends and families too, think about the children,” continued Waites. “It is entirely possible that it is impossible to stop now. That the species has evolved so far that it may be unstoppable, even via nose plugs but we can take this limited precaution at least. Going for a swim is really not worth having your brain eaten, no matter how much fun it might be.”
Level of intelligence is not believed to be factor in the effectiveness of the amoeba, aside from the nose plug thing.
Lauren Hebert, Health Correspondent
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