Health authorities in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, have issued a public warning after the discovery of Naegleria fowleri—a rare but deadly “brain-eating” amoeba—in a town’s water supply. As reported by The Medical Republic, the detection of this microbe has raised concerns among residents and led to swift action from local health officials to mitigate the risk of infection.
Naegleria fowleri is a single-celled organism typically found in warm freshwater environments such as lakes, rivers, and hot springs. While infections are exceedingly rare, the amoeba can cause a severe and often fatal brain infection called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) if contaminated water enters the body through the nose. The organism does not cause illness if swallowed, but when it reaches the brain via the nasal passages, it can destroy brain tissue rapidly, leading to death in most cases within days.
The discovery was made during routine water testing in the regional NSW town of Walgett. The local health district promptly notified the community, advising residents to take precautions such as avoiding getting water up their noses, especially during activities like bathing, swimming, or using neti pots for nasal irrigation. Residents were also urged to avoid letting children play with hoses or sprinklers that could spray water into their faces.
Authorities stressed that treated town water remains safe to drink, as ingestion of Naegleria fowleri does not result in illness. The risk is specifically associated with water entering the nasal passages. In response, local officials have increased chlorination levels in the water supply, as chlorine is effective in killing the amoeba. Continuous monitoring and further testing are underway to ensure the water remains safe for all uses.
Although infections are rare, Naegleria fowleri has a high fatality rate, making prevention and public awareness critical. Symptoms of PAM usually begin with headache, fever, nausea, and vomiting, progressing rapidly to confusion, seizures, and coma. There is currently no guaranteed cure, and only a handful of survivors have been documented worldwide.
NSW Health has emphasized that such occurrences are unusual but not unprecedented, particularly during periods of high temperature when water sources can become warmer and more susceptible to contamination. The department is working closely with local councils to ensure all necessary precautions are taken.
