Tragedy struck in Arkansas. One person is dead after being exposed to a rare brain eating amoeba after visiting a country club with a splash pad. The Arkansas Health Department issued a statement about the incident on Thursday, September 14, 2023. The person’s identity has not been released at this time.
Multiple samples from the Country Club of Little Rock's pool and splash pad were sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One of the samples taken from the splash pad tested positive for Naegleria fowleri, a rare brain-eating organism. The country club has voluntarily closed the pool and splash pad and there is no threat to public health.
"It is important to maintain pools and splash pads by making sure that disinfection levels are appropriate and free of soil contamination," the Arkansas Health Department stated. This amoeba can live in soil, freshwater lakes, rivers, ponds, pools, and splash pads that are not kept up properly. It does not live in saltwater.
When a person becomes infected, they will first experience headaches, fever, and vomiting. This will soon progress into a stiff neck, seizures, and coma. Symptoms can start as soon as one day after exposure or as late as 12. Unfortunately, most cases are fatal.
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The country club has been cooperating with the investigation fully. The last time a case was reported in the state was in 2013. Around three people a year get infected with this rare disease in the United States.
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