Deadly Parasite Found Lurking in Louisiana Water Supply

Ever since a 4-year-old died of a rare brain infection, Louisiana health officials have been on the hunt for the source of the infection. The answer, they recently announced, is in the water pipes of St. Bernard Parish, located southeast of New Orleans.

Caused by the amoeba Naegleria fowleri, the parasite poses no risk when consumed via drinking. Still, officials have taken to pumping more chlorine into the municipal water supply to eliminate the bugs.

"We know that chlorine kills Naegleria fowleri, which is why it was critical that the parish proactively began flushing its water system with additional chlorine last week," Assistant Secretary for Public Health J. T. Lane said in a statement. "The parish will continue this action until it raises chlorine residuals to recommended levels, and this process will continue for several weeks."

According to State Health Officer Jimmy Guidry, there are a number of precautions families can take to protect themselves, such as chlorinating their pools and keeping their heads above the water while swimming as infection occurs only when the parasite is able to travel up the nasal cavity into the brain.

When it comes to bathing, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals cautions those in the affected area to run bath and shower taps as well as hoses for five minutes before use in order to flush out the pipes. Guardians should also avoid leaving children alone with hoses or sprinklers as they may accidentally allow the water to squirt up their nose.

Other notes of caution include avoiding jumping into pools or putting one's head under bathing water.

Though rare, Naegleria fowleri infections are nearly always deadly. Arkansas native Kali Hardig, 12, made headlines this summer after becoming the third patient in the last half-century to have survived the illness. Hardig is believed to have been infected while swimming in a sandy-bottom lake at a water park near her house.