03-02-2008, 12:55 AM
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]"And you thought zebra mussels were bad news. Last year, six people were killed in the U.S. by an invasive, brain-eating parasitic organism called Naegleria fowleri (nuh-GLEER-ee-un FOWL-erh-eye). This bottom-feeding micro-organism usually infects fish, but can live for years without a host. If a human gets a snoot-full of bottom water infested with this parasite, the end can come quickly. The amoeba first latches onto the olfactory nerve. From there, it eats its way into the brain. Victims complain of a persistent headache, stiff neck and fever as the organism consumes more and more brain tissue. Hallucinations and behavioral changes may occur just prior to death, which can occur three to seven days after the onset of the symptoms. First discovered in Australia in 1960, Naegleria fowleri killed 23 people in the U.S. from 1995 to 2004. Last year, the microorganism claimed lives in Texas (two), Florida (three) and Arizonia (one)-an unexplained spike in cases that reportedly has scientists worried about the 2008 summer season." This article came from the march issue of Outdoor life.[/size][/font]
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