‘Brain eating amoeba’ raises concerns after death of one person in South Korea; disease spreads through contaminated water

SEOUL: One death has been reported in South Korea by infection caused by ‘brain eating amoeba’ or Naegleria Fowleri. A 50-year-old man, who returned from Thailand died due to this rare disease. This is the first case of the disease reported in South Korea.

The man had returned to South Korea on December 10 after spending four months in Thailand. That evening he showed symptoms like fever, headache, vomiting, swelling in the neck, and unclear speech. Though he was admitted to the intensive care unit, the next day, he could not be saved. He died on December 21st.

Swimming in dirty water and also washing face with water that contains the amoeba is how this enters human body. The symptoms will develop within one to twelve days. The first symptoms are headache, fever, vomiting or vomiting sensation. After that there will be swelling of the neck, confusion, lack of attention, seizure, delusion, and coma.

Once the symptoms begin, the disease progresses rapidly and can cause death within five days. The death can also occur within one to eighteen days.

There is no effective medical treatment against Naegleria Fowleri. Mostly doctor use Antibiotics, Antifungals, and Anti-parasitic agents for treatment against this rare, yet deadly disease.