‘Brain-eating’ infection possibly linked to water skiing at the Lake of the Ozarks

LAKE OF THE OZARKS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has confirmed a rare case of brain infection.

According to the department, an adult Missouri resident has a laboratory-confirmed case Naegleria fowleri, a single-celled free-living ameba that can cause a rare, deadly infection of the brain called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), also known as “brain-eating” infection. Fewer than 10 people in the United States a year get PAM.

The Missouri patient is being treated in an intensive care unit. No additional suspected cases are being investigated in the state.

The health department said the ameba is common and naturally present in warm freshwater.

Public health officials are investigating the patient’s exposure. The health department said