Man goes water-skiing and days later discovers something is 'eating' his brain

A man discovered he had been infected with a rare brain-eating amoeba just days after going water-skiing. He has now been rushed into intensive care and is being treated for primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM).

The deadly infection is caused by Naegleria fowleri. The amoeba is found in warm and freshwater environments such as ponds, lakes, rivers, hot springs, and poorly maintained swimming pools.

It is thought the man, who has not been identified, became infected by the amoeba after water-skiing in the Lake of Ozarks central Missouri. Fox News reports that the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) confirmed the infection on Wednesday.

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The DHSS says the source of the infection is unknown but explained the man had been water-skiing days before the discovery. No other cases have been reported.

Between 1962 and 2024 there were 167 cases of PAM reported across the United States. It is thought that the amoeba enters the body through the nose.

The DHSS explained: “Although a rare occurrence, people become infected by Naegleria fowleri when water containing the amoeba enters the body through the nose from freshwater sources.

“The Naegleria fowleri amoeba then travels up the nose to the brain where it damages the brain tissue. This infection cannot be spread from one person to another, and it cannot be contracted by swallowing contaminated water.”

The amoeba is said to be the most active in July, August and September, health officials explained. It thrives in water that is warmer than 25C.

The initial signs of PAM are said to start showing around five days after exposure. Early warning signs include a headache, fever and possibly vomiting.

When the infection progresses people often experience confusion, a stiff neck, disorientation, hallucinations, seizures and a coma. Death can occur at any point up to 18 days, with most living just five.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Naegleria fowleri can be treated with anti-fungal medicines. Although tests are said to have been performed in laboratory conditions and not on actual patients.

The DHSS however says there are ways to prevent infection. These include holding your nose or keeping your nose above water when taking part in freshwater activities.

People can also avoid putting their head under water in freshwater and avoid digging up sediment. Naegleria fowleri amoebas are said to live in sediment at the bottom of ponds.

According to the CDC there have been rare instances of people becoming infected with PAM from splash pads and surf parks that did not have enough chlorine in the water. The infection does not occur from swallowing the water, officials say.

A study in 2021 found there had been 381 cases of PAM identified up to 2018. A majority of those infected were male and only seven people survived the condition.