Lake of Three Fires State Park, Taylor CountyPhoto: Iowa DNR
(Des Moines, IA) -- Swimmers at lakes in Iowa are being encouraged to take extra precautions after a swimmer at a southwest Iowa beach contracted a potentially deadly infection, from a water-borne amoeba. Iowa Department of Natural Resources Water Quality Monitor Katie Greenstein says the amoeba enters thru the nose, so swimmers should take precautions against getting water in nose, such as using nose clips, plugging their nose, or keeping their head out of the water completely.
The step is in addition to other general water safety recommendations for lake swimmers, such as showering off after getting out of the water. Doing so reduces the risk of illness from other, more common water-related illnesses such as cryptosporidium, which causes diarrhea.
The amoeba leads to an often deadly infection known as naegleria fowleri which destroys brain tissue and can lead to death within 12-days. The C-D-C is sending a test kit to Iowa. Water samples will be collected and analyzed next week at Lake of Three Fires beach in Taylor County. The beach there will remain closed for now.
Greenstein says it's the first known case in Iowa. She says it's more common in southern states, in warmer waters.
Missouri health officials say the resident who became infected is hospitalized. Treatment involves several medications.