Louisiana Health Officials Confirm Rare Brain-Eating Amoeba Infection

Claiborne Parish, La. - Officials with the Louisiana Department of Health have confirmed a resident was infected with Naegleria fowleri, commonly known as the "brain-eating amoeba."

While the infection is extremely rare, it's getting the attention of Louisiana residents because we spend so much time outdoors swimming, boating and enjoying the many lakes and waterways found throughout the state.

Here's what you should know before heading into the water.

Get our free mobile app

What Is The Brain-Eating Amoeba?

Naegleria fowleri is a microscopic organism that can live in warm freshwater.

It can be found in places such as lakes, rivers, canals and ponds, particularly when water temperatures climb during the hot summer months.

READ MORE: Rare Flea Disease Linked to 2 Deaths in Louisiana

The concern comes when contaminated water enters the body through the nose.

LDH tells KNOE.com -

"LDH says 'it can cause primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a brain infection that may result when water containing the amoeba rushes up the nose and reaches the brain. The infection is extremely rare, but nearly always fatal.'

Officials say Naegleria fowleri cannot infect people if swallowed and is not spread from person to person. They say the amoeba is not found in salt water or in properly maintained and chlorinated pools."

How Did The Louisiana Resident Become Infected?

According to the Louisiana Department of Health, the resident most likely contracted the infection while swimming in Lake Claiborne in Claiborne Parish.

Lake Claiborne is a popular recreational destination in North Louisiana, particularly during the warmer Summer months.

This doesn't mean every person who swims there will become infected. In fact, Naegleria fowleri infections are extraordinarily rare, however the risk is something swimmers should be aware of when spending time in warm freshwater.

Swimming In Lake

Can You Get The Amoeba From Drinking The Water?

Simply swallowing contaminated water does not cause the infection.

The amoeba has to enter the body through the nose. It cannot infect someone by going into the stomach, and it is not spread from one person to another according to the Louisiana Department of Health.

READ MORE: Report Says Cyclospora Has Expanded to Some Fruit and Vegetables in Louisiana

That means activities that cause freshwater to shoot or forcefully enter the nose are the primary concerns.

What Are The Symptoms Of The Brain-Eating Amoeba?

LDH says that primary amebic meningoencephalitis, or PAM, can begin with symptoms that may look like other illnesses at first.

Some symptoms include:

Severe headache
Fever
Nausea and vomiting
Stiff neck
Seizures
Hallucinations
Confusion
Loss of consciousness or coma

In some cases, PAM can lead to death.

The illness can progress extremely quickly, which is one reason health officials emphasize seeking medical attention for concerning symptoms after freshwater exposure.

Despite the frightening name, infections caused by Naegleria fowleri are incredibly rare.

KNOE reports that only 180 confirmed cases were recorded in the United States from 1937 through 2025, with three of those cases occurring in Louisiana.

So while the infection is serious, the average person swimming in a Louisiana lake is far more likely to enjoy a normal day on the water than encounter this extremely rare organism.

You can read more over at ldh.la.gov.