Rare parasite threat grows with third Minnesota case

Three lifeguards sat atop an observation platform Wednesday looking over an empty beach and no swimmers in Lake Minnewaska, a sign of unease over the news that a 14-year-old swimmer was fighting for his life because of a rare but frightening parasitic infection in the lake.

Hunter Boutain, of Alexandria, Minn., remained in critical condition Wednesday night at the University of Minnesota Medical Center, after apparently inhaling the Naegleria fowleri amoeba while swimming in Minnewaska. The parasite, which has historically been found in warmer, southern U.S. lakes has now been confirmed in three cases involving Minnesota swimmers since 2010 and may have been involved in at least three other unconfirmed cases.

“You can drink water that has the amoeba in it and it does not affect you,” Chad LaMeyer said. “The only way you get this is to get water in your nose that has the amoeba and from there it gets into the brain.”

Infections are considered more likely in shallow, warmer waters. The amoeba survives underground and then emerges to lake levels when temperatures warm up. Another prevention tip consequently is to refrain from churning up sediment on the lake bed, which can stir the amoeba into the water.

http://www.startribune.com/rare-parasite-threat-grows-with-third-minnesota-case/312707211/