China News, July 6th, comprehensive report, a few days ago, Florida health officials in the United States said that a person in Hillsborough County of the state was diagnosed with the common name of "brain-eating insects" Frei Negria Amoeba protozoan. Allegedly, this parasite will enter the human central system through the nasal cavity and infect the brain. From 1962 to 2018, there have been 145 cases of infection in the United States, of which only 4 people survived.
Hillsborough County health authorities posted on social media that people in the county were infected with "brain-eating insects" and called on the public to pay attention to protection. (Picture taken from social media account of Hillsboro County Health Department)
What is "brain eater"
The "brain-eating worm", also known as Protozoa graminearum, is a single-celled organism that usually lives in warm fresh water. It can enter the central nervous system through the nasal cavity, infect the brain, and eventually cause the brain death of the infected person.
After being infected with "brain-eating insects," people may experience severe headache, fever, nausea, and vomiting. Then. People may also have stiff necks, seizures, hallucinations, and even coma.
Allegedly, infected people generally die within 1 to 18 days after the onset of symptoms.
On June 27 local time, the Arizona people in the United States drifted in the river to cool off.
How to prevent infection?
According to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, from 1962 to 2018, there have been 145 cases of infection in the United States, and only 4 of them survived. From 1962 to the present in Florida, there have been 37 cases of infection.
American media pointed out that a person will not be infected with "brain-eating insects" by drinking contaminated water, but when a person's nasal cavity comes into contact with contaminated water, they may be infected with this parasite.
It is said that this parasite usually lives in many warm freshwater lakes, rivers and ponds across the United States, of which the southern states are more common. The month of infection with this parasite usually occurs in July, August, and September, because at that time, the water level was low everywhere and the water temperature was high.
To prevent infection with this parasite, the Florida health agency advises people to avoid touching the water in the wild through their noses. The agency also recommends that people avoid water-related activities in warm fresh water or near power plants. When it is necessary to engage in water-related activities, it is best to use nose clips, and only use boiling or sterile water to use the nasal pot. In addition, when symptoms appear after swimming in warm water, seek medical attention immediately.
The Florida health authority said, "Remember, this disease is rare, but effective preventive measures can make the summer swimming season safer and easier."