ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Since 1962, 34 people have died in Florida because of a deadly brain-eating amoeba that officials warn could grow more prolific in waters warmed by the recent heat.
Naegleria fowleri, commonly known as the "brain-eating amoeba" is a single-celled, microscopic organism that can enter through a swimmer's nose and attack the tissue of their brain.
The amoeba is found in warm fresh water around the world, but infections, while fatal 97 percent of the time, are rare, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
Once the amoeba has made its way to the victim’s brain, it starts to destroy the tissue and causes an infection called primary amebic meningoencephalitis.
Since 1962, only 138 PAM infections have been recorded in the U.S., the CDC said.
Of those infected, only three survived.
Orange County Health Department director Dr. Kevin Sherin said the amoebas are likely present in more than 50 percent of the fresh water in Florida.
In 2007, three children died from PAM infections in Orange County.
When swimming or playing in fresh water, it is advisable to wear nose clips because that is the amoeba’s only route into a person’s body, Sherin said.
The amoeba cannot live in chlorinated pools, he said.
Florida is tied with Texas for the most number of PAM infections in the country.
California has the next highest number of reports at eight, the CDC said.