Pathologists: 3rd Florida Boy Dies From Waterborne Amoeba Disease
Pastor Dale Morgan
Pathologists: 3rd Florida Boy Dies From Waterborne Amoeba Disease*
Swimmers Warned About Hot Lakes This Summer
POSTED: 12:50 pm EDT September 6, 2007
UPDATED: 4:56 pm EDT September 6, 2007
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- A medical examiner warned in July that a
waterborne amoeba disease had likely killed a Central Florida boy, but
health officials did not disclose the death in their public swimming
alert, a Local 6 investigation revealed.
Two independent pathologists investigating the death of the first of
three victims who contracted a fatal infection agreed that the
14-year-old died from a waterborne amoeba, Local 6 learned Thursday.
The medical examiner performed an autopsy on Angel Arroyo, 14, in June.
A month later it was confirmed that Arroyo died from meningitis and the
medical examiner said possibly from an amoeba.
The medical examiner said she then warned the Orange County Health
Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about the
findings -- weeks before the first fatal case of amoebic encephalitis
was confirmed in Central Florida, WKMG reported.
The case was reported after WKMG's Erik von Ancken asked about the
possibility of a new case.
"We had not linked the amoeba on the slide to the death or
encephalitis," Orange County Health Department representative Dr. Kevin
Sherin said.
"But you knew there was a possibility?" von Ancken asked.
"We knew there was a possibility?" Sherin said.
"So, why not just put it out there?" von Ancken said.
"Well, we did by way of information to inform the public by way of
media," Sherin said.
The health department warning was issued in July, but there was no
mention of the death.
Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty said the death should have been
mentioned if it was possible.
"If there was increased public awareness about an event that may have
taken place in Orange County, that may have saved a life and that is
exactly what we are trying to do," Crotty said.
"We did warn," Sherin said. "We have a duty to warn and we felt we
delivered the duty to warn (and deliver) the information to the public."
The third case still needs to be confirmed by the CDC, which should take
about a week.
Second Victim Swam In Different Lakes
Meanwhile, Orange County Health Department officials reported Wednesday
that Richard Almeida, 10, of Kissimmee died from a rare amoebic illness.
Richard was the second boy confirmed to have contracted the illness
after swimming in a lake.
"It now has happened twice in Central Florida this year," a health
official said. "And therefore, we need to ramp up the precautions for
using nose plugs and taking all precautions when swimming in the lakes
and doing water sports."
The Orange County Health Department did not identify the lake where
Richard contracted the amoeba.
However, the owner of the Orlando Water Sports Complex said he was
contacted by the Orange County Health Department and told to post signs
warning of the deadly amoeba. The victim was believed to have visited
the popular park.
Officials said the boy had been participating in water events in several
lakes recently.
Residents Warned About Lakes
Meanwhile, health officials warned residents to be extremely cautious in
lakes and other bodies of water.
Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty said the safest thing people can do is
stay out of the water.
The Florida Department of Health along with the Osceola and Orange
County Health Departments are conducting the investigation into at least
one of the deaths.
11-Year-Old Dies After Swim
In August, the first victim, Will Sellers, 11, died after contracting
amoebic encephalitis, or acute swelling of the brain
Health officials said that there is an increased risk of infection by
the organism in all freshwater areas throughout Florida, especially
during summer months when the water temperature exceeds 80 degrees.
Water sports or activities such as wakeboarding, water skiing, swimming
or diving puts people at a greater risk, officials said.
Health officials are urging residents to take precautions.
#
Wear nose clips or hold your nose when swimming, jumping or diving in
any fresh water -- Closed nostrils reduce your risk of infection by
amoebic encephalitis, a rare but life-threatening condition.
#
Do not swim in warm standing water, such as ponds, lakes, storm water
retention areas or in areas posted "No Swimming" -- Bacteria and other
harmful organisms thrive in warm, standing water. Seek prompt medical
attention if you become ill after swimming in freshwater.
#
Avoid areas with obvious algal blooms -- Contact may cause skin rash,
runny nose and burning eyes.
Every year health experts issue warnings to educate the public about the
amoeba that thrives in all fresh water bodies when the water temperature
rises. Naegleria is a microscopic amoeba most commonly found in the
upper layer of sediment in the bottom of lakes and ponds with mud floors.
Symptoms include headache, fever, nausea and vomiting, stiff neck,
confusion, lack of attention to people and surroundings, loss of balance
and bodily control, seizures and hallucinations.
The amoeba invades the brain and the disease progresses rapidly, usually
resulting in death within three to seven days. The infection cannot be
spread from person to person or contracted from a properly maintained
swimming pool.