started · updated
Catamarca authorities investigate fatal amoeba infection in child
A 10-year-old child has died in Fiambalá, Catamarca, from primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) caused by the Naegleria fowleri amoeba, also known as the “brain-eating amoeba.” The diagnosis was confirmed by the ANLIS-Malbrán National Reference Laboratory using a real-time PCR test on a cerebrospinal fluid sample.
The Ministry of Health of Catamarca is conducting an epidemiological investigation to reconstruct the child's possible exposures during the 12 days prior to the onset of symptoms. As a preventive measure, the Municipality of Fiambalá has closed the local Thermal Complex while water and surface samples are analyzed to detect the presence of the microorganism.
Health officials emphasized that the infection is extremely rare and is not transmitted from person to person, nor is it contracted by drinking contaminated water. The infection occurs when contaminated water enters the body through the nose, typically during activities like swimming or diving in warm freshwater.
While the exact source of the infection remains under investigation, authorities have stated that this appears to be an isolated case, with no other reported infections in the territory.
Entities
ANLIS-Malbrán · Catamarca · Eva Perón Children's Interzonal Hospital · Eva Perón Interzonal Children's Hospital · Fiambalá · Fiambalá Thermal Complex · Hospital Interzonal de Niños Eva Perón · Ministry of Health of Catamarca · Naegleria fowleri
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 14 SOURCES] Health teams are investigating the 12 days prior to the onset of symptoms. www.diariocuartopoder.com · uruguayaldia.com.uy · datamarca.com · panorama24.com.ar · cuestionentrerriana.com.ar · +9 more
- [● 23 SOURCES] A 10-year-old child died from primary amebic meningoencephalitis. www.diariocuartopoder.com · uruguayaldia.com.uy · airevision.com.ar · combonoticias.com · datamarca.com · +18 more
- [● 9 SOURCES] The disease is not transmitted from person to person. airevision.com.ar · datamarca.com · panorama24.com.ar · cuestionentrerriana.com.ar · www.sitiosargentina.com.ar · +4 more
- [● 10 SOURCES] No other cases of the infection have been identified in the territory. uruguayaldia.com.uy · airevision.com.ar · datamarca.com · panorama24.com.ar · cuestionentrerriana.com.ar · +5 more
- [● 22 SOURCES] The Municipality of Fiambalá has closed the thermal complex as a preventive measure. www.diariocuartopoder.com · uruguayaldia.com.uy · airevision.com.ar · combonoticias.com · datamarca.com · +17 more
- [● 23 SOURCES] The infection was caused by the Naegleria fowleri amoeba. www.diariocuartopoder.com · uruguayaldia.com.uy · airevision.com.ar · combonoticias.com · datamarca.com · +18 more
- [● 11 SOURCES] The infection occurs when contaminated water enters through the nose. airevision.com.ar · diariosanrafael.com.ar · diariovictoria.com.ar · datamarca.com · eldebate.com.ar · +6 more
- [● 23 SOURCES] The diagnosis was confirmed via real-time PCR on a cerebrospinal fluid sample. www.diariocuartopoder.com · uruguayaldia.com.uy · airevision.com.ar · combonoticias.com · datamarca.com · +18 more