Missouri Resident Dies From Brain-Eating Amoeba
A Missouri adult, likely infected while water-skiing at Lake of the Ozarks, has died from primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), caused by Naegleria fowleri — the notorious brain-eating amoeba. The fatality occurred on August 20 at a St. Louis-area hospital, just one week after diagnosis.
Officials confirmed that infections of this kind remain extremely rare — fewer than 10 in the U.S. yearly, with only two prior cases ever recorded in Missouri (1987 and 2022).
Symptoms typically begin 1–12 days after exposure and escalate rapidly — from headache, fever, and nausea to seizures, confusion, and hallucinations.
Public health officials urge caution — especially during warm months — recommending nose clips or holding the nose shut when swimming, avoiding stirring sediment, and using only boiled or distilled water for nasal rinses.
What States Are Brain-Eating Amoebas Found In?
The amoeba Naegleria fowleri is found in warm fresh waters across many U.S. regions, not just Missouri. Documented states (and one territory) with known cases include:
Southern tier and others: AR, AZ, CA, FL, GA, IN, KS, LA, MO, MD, MN, MS, NC, NM, NV, OK, SC, TX, VA
Territory: U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI).
Additional detections — and case reports — have surfaced in Iowa, Nebraska, and Arizona in recent years, aligning with rising temperatures and expanded geographical risk .
How Rare Is Brain-Eating Amoeba in Lakes?
Extremely rare: Fewer than 10 U.S. cases are reported annually.
Cumulative total: From 1962 through 2024, a total of 167 cases have been confirmed in the U.S., with only four survivors.
Survival rate: Less than 3% survive even with treatment.
The infection rate is estimated at 6 per 1,000,000 human deaths in the U.S.
First Signs of Amoeba Brain Infection (PAM)
Symptoms typically manifest between 1 to 12 days post-exposure, rapidly worsening toward fatal outcomes within 1–18 days.
Early Symptoms:
Headache
Fever
Nausea and vomiting
Sudden onset – resembles bacterial meningitis symptoms
Progression (1–5 days in):
Stiff neck
Confusion or altered mental status
Seizures
Hallucinations
Rapid progression to coma and death
Summary Table
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Current Incident | Adult died from PAM after water-skiing on Lake of the Ozarks—rare but severe infection. |
| States Affected | Reported in ~19 states including FL, TX, MO, SC, and expanding north and west as temperatures rise. |
| Rarity | <10 U.S. cases/year; 167 cases total since 1962; very low survival rate <3%. |
| Symptoms (Early) | Fever, headache, nausea, vomiting—can be mistaken for meningitis. |
| Advanced Symptoms | Stiff neck, confusion, seizures, hallucinations, rapid decline to coma or death. |
| Risk Reduction | Avoid water entering nose, use nose clips, avoid shallow/sediment-disturbing areas, use boiled/distilled water for nasal rinses. |
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