The Florida Department of Health in Orange County is advising the public to take precautions when enjoying fresh water activities locally or when traveling abroad, especially swimming in warm freshwater lakes, hot springs, rivers, creeks and ponds to avoid Naegleria fowleri.  N. fowleri is a naturally occurring amoeba that can beContinue Reading

Hillsborough County health officials have confirmed a case of Naegleria fowleri, aka the brain-eating amoeba. Health officials did not release any information about the patient. Naegleria fowleri is a microscopic amoeba which is a single-celled living organism. It can cause a rare and devastating infection of the brain called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). The amoeba isContinue Reading

On this clip from the latest episode of NEWS TALK with Brandon & Bob, the topic of the brain-eating amoeba was discussed as summer arrives and the waters get warmer. During the conversation, several aspects of the parasite technically known as Naegleria fowleri was looked at–how and where do youContinue Reading

amoeba awareness

The Fourth Annual Jordan Smelski Foundation for Amoeba Awareness Beach Walk is scheduled for Saturday, November 2 at St. Pete Beach. The beach walk benefits the Jordan Smelski Foundation for Amoeba Awareness (research and community education) & the USF Foundation Philip T. Gompf Memorial Fund (I-4 billboards). Sponsorships are availableContinue Reading

Naegleria fowleri, or the “brain-eating amoeba” is a parasite commonly found in warm freshwater (e.g. lakes, rivers, and hot springs) and of the 140 or so known cases in the US, 35 are from Florida alone. Associate Professor of Infectious Disease and International Medicine at USF Health in Tampa, Sandra Gompf, MD,Continue Reading

miltefosine

The investigational drug, at least partially credited for saving the life of 16-year-old Sebastian Deleon, the teen that was infected with the 97 percent lethal “brain-eating amoeba”, Naegleria fowleri, miltefosine is on the shelves at the Tampa VA hospital as part of a consignment program between the Orlando-based pharmaceutical company,Continue Reading