On October 19, the Southern Nevada Health District confirmed the death of a male under the age of 18 who became infected with the Naegleria fowleri amoeba.
The amoeba is found in warm freshwater bodies, such as lakes, rivers, ponds, canals, and even poorly-maintained heated pools.
The initial symptoms of PAM, which appear anywhere between one and 12 days after infection, include a stiff neck, confusion, lack of attention to the surrounding environment, loss of balance, seizures and hallucinations. After the appearance of symptoms, the disease progresses rapidly. File photo of Lake Mead near Hoover Dam and inset image of the brain-eating amoeba, Naegleria fowleri. Last week, officials confirmed that the death a Nevada boy who may have been exposed to the amoeba during a visit to the Lake Mead National Recreation Area.In the period from 1962 to 2021, 154 cases of PAM were recorded in the United States, with just four of these individuals surviving the disease, CDC figures show.and Texas.