A Missouri resident is hospitalized with a Naegleria fowleri infection, commonly known as a brain-eating amoeba, after waterskiing at the Lake of the Ozarks. This is only the third such case in Missouri since 1962. Naegleria fowleri thrives in warm freshwater and causes primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a typically fatal brain infection. Health officials advise swimmers to avoid submerging their heads and to avoid stirring up sediment to minimize risk. While rare, cases appear to be increasing due to climate change.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.