Brain-Eating Amoeba Seen in State's Water Supply

Several areas near Houston are warned not to use tap water
By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 26, 2020 2:30 PM CDT
Texas Officials Issue Warning Over Brain-Eating Amoeba
This combo of images provided by the Center for Disease Control shows the Naegleria fowleri amoeba in the cyst stage, left, trophozoite stage, center and the flagellated stage, right.   (AP Photo/Center For Disease Control)

The brain-eating amoeba that recently turned up in Florida has resurfaced in a Texas town's water supply, KHOU reports. On Friday, Texas environmental officials told residents in several areas near Houston—including Lake Jackson, Brazoria, Richwood, Freeport, Angleton, and Oyster Creek—to stop using tap water, even for bathing, after possible Naegleria Fowleri was spotted in the water. By Saturday that warning was lifted for all areas except Lake Jackson. ABC7 reports that roughly 58,000 people were affected by the advisory and long lineups were seen in Lake Jackson as people stocked up on water. On the bright side, the CDC notes that people can't get infected by swallowing water contaminated with the amoeba. Infections usually occur when it enters via the nose. (More brain-eating amoeba stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X