Balamuthia Mandrillaris

Koral Reef Pier, a newlywed has contracted this rare but deadly brain-eating amoeba called Balamuthia Mandrillaris. This amoeba can be located in water sources, soil, and dirt only 70 cases have been reported so far. It can enter the body through open wounds and our nasal stream, your nose, the symptoms are: headaches,stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, paralysis, and vision loss.It eats at the brain until there is no more brain to eat and can last up to a year in the body. The victim had contracted this amoeba in a family trip to Lake Havasu in 2013, after she received an autopsy she was diagnosed with Balamuthia and died a couple weeks later. To prevent this from happening to you, wear nose plug on trips where there is water, do not allow any water in your nose and  this includes tap water. Even if its rare, be aware of the possible dangers in your environment.

Mayra Elisea.