A rapidly growing threat from the so-called brain-eating amoeba has raised fresh global health concerns, according to a new international study. Environmental and public health scientists warn that climate change, ageing water supply systems, and weak monitoring mechanisms are allowing these dangerous microorganisms to spread more widely in water and the environment.
The findings, published in the scientific journal Biocontaminant, highlight how rising temperatures and outdated infrastructure are creating ideal conditions for the growth of free-living amoebae. These single-celled organisms usually live in soil and water. While most species are harmless, a few can cause deadly infections in humans.
Deadly Amoeba Behind Recent Deaths
Among them, Naegleria fowleri poses the greatest risk. This amoeba enters the human body through the nose, mainly when people swim or dive in contaminated freshwater. Once inside, it attacks the brain and causes a rare but almost always fatal infection known as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis. Although infections remain uncommon, doctors report a mortality rate of nearly 99 percent.
The study also points out that Naegleria fowleri has caused several deaths in Kerala in recent years, raising alarms about its presence in Indian water bodies. Experts fear that similar cases could emerge in new regions as global temperatures continue to rise.
Survives Where Other Microbes Fail
“What makes these amoebae especially dangerous is their ability to survive where other microbes cannot,” said Longfei Shu, a researcher at Sun Yat-sen University in China. He explained that these organisms can persist even in water distribution systems that are considered safe for public use. As a result, standard water treatment methods may not always eliminate them.
Hidden Carriers of Other Germs
Scientists have also warned that these amoebae act as “Trojan horses” for other harmful bacteria and viruses. By sheltering dangerous microbes inside their cells, they help them evade water treatment processes. This increases the risk of contaminated drinking water and may also contribute to the rise of antibiotic-resistant infections.
Call for Stronger Global Action
With global warming expanding the range of heat-loving amoebae, researchers stress the need for urgent preventive measures. They recommend a “One Health” approach that links human health, environmental protection, and water management. Improved surveillance, early diagnosis, and advanced water treatment technologies could help reduce the risk before infections occur.
“This is not just a medical issue or an environmental issue,” Longfei Shu said. “We need integrated solutions that address both and protect public health at its source.”
Health experts urge governments and water authorities worldwide to take the warning seriously, as the threat of brain-eating amoeba is no longer limited to a few regions but is emerging as a global public health challenge.
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