Man in Charlotte County, Florida Dies from Rare Brain-Eating Amoeba Infection

A man in Charlotte County, Florida, has died from a rare brain-eating amoeba infection, according to the Florida Department of Health in Charlotte County. The infection is believed to have been contracted after the man rinsed his sinuses with tap water.

The infection, caused by the single-celled organism Naegleria fowleri, is most commonly found in soil and fresh water around the world. It thrives in warm temperatures, leading to most infections being reported in the summer.

Jae Williams, press secretary for the Florida Department of Health in Charlotte County, said in a statement, “I can confirm the infection unfortunately resulted in a death, and any additional information on this case is confidential to protect patient privacy.”

The department is conducting an epidemiological investigation to understand the unique circumstances of this infection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that these infections are very rare, and only arise when contaminated water enters through the sinuses.

The Florida Department of Health in Charlotte County is urging people to take precautions to avoid infection, such as not swimming in warm freshwater, avoiding water-related activities in warm freshwater during periods of high water temperature and low water levels, and avoiding putting your head under the water in hot springs and other untreated thermal waters.