Person dies from amebic infection after swimming in Lake LBJ
AUSTIN, Texas - A Travis County resident has died after developing an amebic meningitis infection after swimming in Lake LBJ, and Austin Public Health is warning people to take precautions in natural bodies of water.
"Although these infections are very rare, this is an important reminder that there are microbes present in natural bodies of water that can pose risks of infection," said Austin-Travis County Health Authority Dr. Desmar Walkes. "Increased temperatures over the summer make it ideal for harmful microorganisms to grow and flourish."
To reduce the risk of infection in natural bodies of water, APH suggests taking the following precautions:
- Limit the amount of water going up your nose. Hold your nose shut, use nose clips or keep your head above water when taking part in warm freshwater-related activities.
- Avoid water-related activities in warm freshwater during periods of high water temperature and low water levels.
- Avoid digging in or stirring up the sediment while taking part in water-related activities in shallow, warm freshwater areas.
APH says amebic meningitis does not occur if water is swallowed, but can be fatal if forced up the nose, as can occur when jumping into water, diving, water-skiing or other water activities. It is not found in salt water, or in properly maintained and chlorinated pools.
Symptoms of an amebic meningitis infection — an infection of the brain — start with severe headache, fever, nausea and vomiting and progress to stiff neck, seizures and coma and can lead to death.
These rare infections usually occur when it is hot for prolonged periods of time, which results in higher water temperatures and lower water levels.
Primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) infections are rare, with only 39 known infected individuals in Texas between 1962 and 2022. PAM can cause severe illness up to nine days after exposure.
The Lower Colorado River Authority released a statement following the death.
"LCRA is saddened to learn a Travis County resident died after developing an illness caused by an amebic meningitis infection.
Lake LBJ and the other Highland Lakes remain open to recreation, but LCRA cautions the lakes are non-chlorinated, natural water bodies that may contain harmful ameba or bacteria. LCRA strongly recommends people take precautions to limit exposure by keeping their heads out of the water or covering their noses when jumping into the water, as the ameba enters the body through the nose.
The ameba that can cause an amebic meningitis infection thrives in warm, fresh water. Though LCRA conducts water quality testing on the Highland Lakes, we do not monitor for the ameba that can cause amebic meningitis, as the Centers for Disease Control says there is no routine and rapid test for the ameba. The CDC recommends that recreational water users always assume there is a risk for infection.
For more information on this topic, please contact the Austin Public Health Department.
As always, LCRA encourages people to keep safety as their top priority when recreating on the Highland Lakes. In addition to limiting exposure to ameba, LCRA recommends:
- Always wearing a life jacket on the water.
- Never swimming or boating alone.
- Swimming only in designated areas.
- Keeping an eye out for hazards.
For more information on lake safety, visit BeLakeWise.org."