A brain eating amoeba is responsible for a deadly emerging disease, that usually always claims the life of the victims it infects. The disease is caused by a parasite known as Naegleria fowleri, or more commonly as the 'brain-eating amoeba'.

Although still relatively uncommon, the brain disease, known as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), is typically fatal and is making news headlines the world over. The outbreaks of this deadly disease have resulted in cautionary warnings not to play or swim in waters that could potentially be infected, and to take precautions not to snort, sniff or squirt water up through the nasal passages, which is the parasite's primary passage of access to the brain.

While N. fowleri is relatively common in warm water environments, it doesn't appear to cause any harm when ingested. However, a study that was recently published in the Journal - American Water Works Association suggests that N. fowleri is an emerging drinking water pathogen in the US, as drinking water supplies are also used for bathing, showering, topping up swimming pools, etc. The study outlines methods that water utilities can be used to treat drinking water supplies in order to control this emerging contaminant.

This emerging pathogen is included on the EPA's Contaminant Candidate List (CCL 3) — but what are utilities doing to deal with it?

According to the Journal AWWA paper: "Few laboratories in the United States or worldwide are experienced with this organism." The methods most commonly used to detect the parasite, which were primarily developed in Australia, include sampling using membrane filtration or centrifugation, with samples then being analyzed in a laboratory. Samples can either be taken from the surface of freshwater bodies, or by collecting samples of biofilm scraped off water pipes or plumbing fittings and fixtures.

Alarmingly, samples have shown that the brain-eating amoeba can occur in water heaters, sink drains and shower-heads — where it thrives in temperatures of between 25-42 degrees celsius. It can also survive cold winter temperatures and regrow when temperatures warm up again.Yet, while chemical disinfection can effectively remove and control N. Fowleri, utilities have very little control when it comes to maintaining water quality at the end of the distribution network — at the point where it enters a consumer's home.

According to the Center for Disease Control a person cannot become infected by drinking contaminated water, only when water contaminated with the parasite goes up your nose. Consumers can take the following precautions to avoid becoming infected with the deadly parasite.

1.  Do not let water enter through your nose when swimming in warm freshwater bodies or in small plastic or blow-up swimming pools. Wear a nose clip or keep your head above water.
2.  Do not plunge into small pools or bathtubs or let you head go under the water. Rather lower yourself into the water, keeping your head above water.
3.  Ensure that children are supervised when playing with garden sprinklers or hose pipes, as water can accidentally be squirted up their noses.
4.  Take care not to let water go up your nose when taking a bath or shower, or when you wash your face.
5.  Keep your head above water when swimming or bathing in hot springs or other thermal waters that are untreated.
6.  Avoid water-sports or other water activities in freshwater bodies when water temperatures are exceptionally warm.
7.  Avoid stirring up bottom sediments when partaking in water-related activities in warm, shallow freshwater bodies.

Journal Reference

Bartrand, Timothy A.; Causey, Jonathan Jake; Clancy, Jennifer L. Naegleria fowleri: An emerging drinking water pathogen. Journal - American Water Works Association. (October 2014). 106:10, E418-E432. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.5942/jawwa.2014.106.0140