WA residents warned after discovery of deadly parasite in swim spot

As West Australians flock to the water during this heatwave, there’s a warning over potential health risks lurking in waterways, swimming pools even in our backyard hoses.

The WA Department of Health has ramped up its testing across the summer with one particular deadly organism people are being warned to watch out for.

“The name of the one we’re most concerned about is called Naegleria fowleri,” Dr David Speers said.

WA residents warned of hidden danger in waterways after discovery of deadly parasite

But it’s how it enters the body scientists want us to be aware of – Naegleria fowleri infects people when water containing the ameba enters the body through the nose.

The ameba then travels up the nose to the brain, where it destroys the brain tissue, causing a devastating infection which can be almost always fatal.

“There’s particular species which we know are associated with the ability to cause human disease, so they’re the ones were particularly looking for,” Dr Speers said.

“Not the natural ones that don’t cause any trouble to people.”

It’s how it enters the body scientists want us to be aware of – Naegleria fowleri infects people when water containing the ameba enters the body through the nose.

Popular freshwater swimming spot Brunswick Pool in the Shire of Harvey is the latest location to detect the organism in routine water testing.

The area was shut down last month to protect swimmers.

“Amoeba can be found anywhere in the state in any fresh water, we find it’s on average two to three times a year at least,” Richard Theobald from the WA Department of Health said.

Chlorine is normally needed to destroy it but in our waterways, it’s a waiting game.

“In a natural water body there’s very little you can do – simply because it’s a natural water body and we don’t take kindly to throwing huge amounts of chlorine or any other disinfectant into those,” Theobald added.

Chlorine normally needed to destroy it but in our waterways, it’s a waiting game.

Environmental health officers test WA waterways every two weeks – especially during the summer where hotter temperatures could mean a greater risk.

While there hasn’t been a human infection in WA since the 1960s, swimmers are being urged to heed the warning signs and take caution like swimming with your head above the water.

“The effects are fatal – so we won’t have a near miss – if you are infected, your survival chance is extremely low,” Theobald said.