World

U.S-City declares state of disaster after brain-eating amoeba in water supply killed child

A Texas city has declared a disaster declaration and cautioned residents not to utilise tap water after a brain-eating amoeba was discovered to have infected the water supply.

Authorities in Lake Jackson were warned to the problem on 8 September, when a six-year-old boy died after ingesting naegleria fowleri, either from the hose at his home, or at an outdoor play area.

Test samples from both sites and from a city centre fire hydrant, sent to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), showed the presence of the encephalitis-inducing organism.

“The city of Lake Jackson, county of Brazoria, Texas, is facing significant threats to life, health and property due to contaminated drinking water,” the city’s mayor said in its emergency request to state governor Greg Abbott.

He asked for the state to issue directives allowing for the establishment of curfews, and control over people’s movements and the sale and use of alcohol, weapons and explosives, among other powers.

Officials warned residents in eight locations surrounding the city not to use tap water for any reason except to flush toilets on Friday, but lifted the warning for everywhere but Lake Jackson on Saturday.

Late on Saturday night, Texan environmental authorities updated the guidance for Lake Jackson residents again, informing them that they could use tap water once again for cooking and washing, but must boil it beforehand.

(The Independent)