Western Australians are being urged to take extra care around untreated or poorly treated water as temperatures rise, with WA Health warning of an increased risk of amoebic meningitis.
The rare but potentially fatal infection is linked to warm, fresh water sources and is caused by an organism called Naegleria fowleri amoeba.
WA Health Executive Director of Environmental Health Tanya Gillett said the amoeba can cause inflammation and destroy brain tissue if it is forced up the nose in warm fresh water.
“These organisms can occur naturally in lakes, rivers and farm dams, but may also be found in garden hoses, spas, and poorly maintained swimming or wading pools during hot weather,” Ms Gillett said.
She said the risk increases when water temperatures exceed 28°C.
“Any warm fresh water should be treated as a potential risk, particularly if water is forced up the nose,” she said.
WA Health said people living in rural or regional areas who rely on tank, bore or dam water are at higher risk, along with those using pools or spas that are not adequately chlorinated.
Ms Gillett said children and young people are more commonly exposed due to water play and activities that increase the chance of water entering the nose.
“Shallow paddling pools can also pose a risk if they are left standing in the sun for extended periods,” she said.
WA Health said the amoeba does not survive in water that is clean, well maintained and properly chlorinated.
While Western Australia has not recorded a case of amoebic meningitis since the 1980s, WA Health said people should remain vigilant during hot weather to reduce the risk of infection.
The department advised people to run sprinklers and hoses until cool water flows before playing in water, avoid squirting water up noses, and prevent water entering the nose by walking or lowering into water rather than diving or jumping.
People are also being encouraged to swim in the ocean or chlorinated pools instead of fresh water, regularly disinfect pools and spas with chlorine, and monitor chlorine levels to ensure they remain in a safe range.
WA Health also advised cleaning wading pools and drying them in the sun after each use, flushing out pipes before showering and bathing, and using sterile, distilled water or saline rather than tap water to rinse nasal passages.
People are being urged to avoid swimming in dirty water including dams, rivers and lakes, avoid digging or stirring up sediment, and avoid putting their head under water when swimming in fresh water sources.
