[Home] [Headlines] [Latest Articles] [Latest Comments] [Post] [Sign-in] [Mail] [Setup] [Help]
Status: Not Logged In; Sign In
|
Health See other Health Articles Title: South Carolina girl died after contracting brain-eating amoeba Hannah Katherine Collins, of Charleston, S.C., was believed to have contracted the amoeba Naegleria fowleri while swimming near on the Edisto River on July 24. She died Friday night. BEAUFORT, S.C., Aug. 7 (UPI) -- A 11-year-old South Carolina girl has died after becoming infected with the so-called "brain-eating" amoeba. Hannah Katherine Collins, of Beaufort, was thought to have contracted the amoeba Naegleria fowleri while swimming in the Edisto River on July 24, according to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Contro in a news release. She died Friday night at Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. "Hannah loved life, her family and friends and although this is not the outcome we wished for, our sweet girl has joined the angels, and we know she will always be close by, watching over us," a statement from the family said. On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed a South Carolina patient with Naegleria fowleri. But federal privacy laws prevented the hospital and state and federal health authorities from confirming any information about the patient. "This organism occurs naturally and is all around us and is present in many warm water lakes, rivers and streams, but infection in humans is very rare. In fact, there have been fewer than 40 cases reported nationwide in the past 10 years," said Linda Bell, M.D. and state epidemiologist in the release. "First, you must be swimming in water in which the amoeba is present," she said. "Second, you must jump into the amoeba-containing water feet-first, allowing the water to go up your nose with enough force that the amoeba can make its way to the brain. Most commonly, exposure results in the amoeba dying before causing infection. Miltefosine, a drug used to treat patients fighting the amoeba, was driven to Charleston via courier overnight Monday. Hannah had been crowned queen of her age division at the Colleton County Rice Pageant in April. Like Us on Facebook for more stories from UPI.com Related UPI Stories Is swimming safe in areas with 'brain-eating' amoeba? Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread
|
||
|
[Home]
[Headlines]
[Latest Articles]
[Latest Comments]
[Post]
[Sign-in]
[Mail]
[Setup]
[Help]
|
||