Amoeba “Brain Eaters” Found in Texas, USA, This is Explanation of LIPI Experts

KOMPAS.com – Case findings amoeba “brain eaters” in eight cities in the state of Texas, United States, led local authorities to issue water use bans until further announcement.

The ban was issued because the amoeba had been found in water sources used for daily consumption

Reporting from CNN International, Sunday (27/9/2020) the ban was issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to residents using water treatment from the Brazosport Water Authority (BWA).

“TCEQ on the instructions of the Governor’s Office is working with BWA to resolve the issue as soon as possible,” the ban said.

It is known that the amoeba that is the culprit for the issuance of the ban is Naegleria fowleri, “brain-eating” amoebae, found in water sources on Friday (9/25/2020) night.

Also read: 13-Year-Old Child Dies Due To Brain Eater Amoeba

*UPDATE* Do Not Use Water Advisory LIFTED for most Brazosport Water Authority users

Lake Jackson residents are still urged to heed DO NOT USE Water Advisory. https://t.co/QEJ0uTNGUi pic.twitter.com/N8f1wVxnfT

— Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (@TCEQ) September 26, 2020

Infect young children

The discovery of the presence of amoebae originated from an incident on September 8, when the city of Lake Jackson, Texas, was shocked by the case of a 6 year old boy who was hospitalized with amoebic infection.

The case that befell the child is thought to have originated from two sources, namely the fountain in front of the Lake Jackson Civic Center or through water from the channel of the house where the child lives.

The city government said the fountain was closing immediately and they were hiring a private laboratory to run tests on water samples from the fountain.

The test results proved negative on September 14, but the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) were immediately contacted for further testing.

Representatives from the Texas Department of Health Services collected water and tested the sample for submission to the CDC.

On September 25, three of the 11 water samples tested positive for contamination Naegleria fowleri.

The case is rare

Amoebic researchers from the Indonesian Institute of Sciences ( LIPI) Arif Nurkanto said, from a scientific point of view Naegleria fowleri more accurately called free living organism rather than amoeba.

These organisms can indeed infect humans, especially children under 13 years of age. Arif said that 80 percent of the victims were men.

“Cases are rare, but fatal. Most cases are found in the US. In Southeast Asia itself, it has been reported in Thailand and Vietnam,” said Arif when contacted. Kompas.com, Sunday (27/9/2020).

Arif said, cases of infection Naegleria fowleri is rare. There have been fewer than 160 reported cases in the US in the last 25 years, but the effects have been fatal.

“Of these, only 3-4 people survive. Because of her free living organism, there is no specific drug that can overcome it effectively, “he said.

Also read: Rare Brain Infection from Brain-eating Amoeba Discovered in Florida

Not spread between humans

However, Arief stated that these organisms could not be transmitted from human to human.

Infection occurs because Naegleria fowleri enter through the water through the nose, usually after playing in a lake or river.

“In its natural habitat, it eats bacteria. But if it infects humans, it will stay in the brain and eat the brain by producing enzymes. protease specifik which can lyse brain cells, “said Arif.

Arief said, potential existence Naegleria fowleri In Indonesia there is, but he added that there is no need to worry too much.

Because, the amount does not allow for infection.

“In Indonesia, the organism diversity or many varieties, but too few of them. This means that he has many competitors, so the number is not sufficient for infection to occur, “he said

Meanwhile, Arief said, to prevent such infections from occurring, it is necessary to regularly maintain clean water.

For example, by filtering water from the tap to be used for bathing, or for consumption.

“The usual method is sufficient. In the US, he usually does booming just summer. In essence, clean water is the most important, “said Arif.

Also read: This is How Vietnam Successfully Slammed the Curve of the Second Wave of Coronavirus

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