From the coronavirus pandemic to swarms of killer murder hornets, 2020 has thrown several challenges our way.
Now, there’s a new issue to contend with, as health officials have warned about a new brain-eating amoeba that has infected a man in Florida.
The Florida Department of Health said one person in Hillsborough County has contracted the amoeba, known as Naegleria fowleri.
The single-celled amoeba destroys brain tissue, causing brain swelling and death.
The man’s condition is not known.
Naegleria fowleri infects people when water containing the amoeba enters the body through the nose.
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explained: “This typically occurs when people go swimming or diving in warm freshwater places, like lakes and rivers. The Naegleria fowleri amoeba then travels up the nose to the brain where it destroys the brain tissue.”
While you can catch the amoeba from swimming, you can’t be infected by drinking contaminated water, according to the CDC.
It added: “In very rare instances, Naegleria infections may also occur when contaminated water from other sources (such as inadequately chlorinated swimming pool water or contaminated tap water) enters the nose, for example when people submerge their heads or cleanse their noses during religious practices, and when people irrigate their sinuses (nose) using contaminated tap water.
“Naegleria fowleri has not been shown to spread via water vapour or aerosol droplets (such as shower mist or vapuor from a humidifier).”
Infections are usually seen in the southern US states and are very rare in Florida, where only 37 cases have been reported since 1962.
Despite this, Florida's Department of Health has issued a warning for people swimming or diving in Florida.
It said: "Remember, this disease is rare and effective prevention strategies can allow for a safe and relaxing summer swim season.”
