Brain-eating amoeba, also known as Naegleria fowleri, is a rare but deadly amoeba that can cause a brain infection called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). While the amoeba is found in warm freshwater and soil all over the world, the risk of infection is relatively low.
In the United States, the highest number of reported cases of PAM have been in southern states, particularly in the southeast. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), between 2011 and 2020, there were 37 reported cases of PAM in the United States, and most of these cases were associated with swimming in warm freshwater bodies, such as lakes and rivers, during the summer months.
Outside of the United States, the risk of brain-eating amoeba is also relatively low, but some countries have reported cases of PAM. These countries include Australia, Brazil, Egypt, India, Mexico, and Pakistan.
It's worth noting that while the risk of infection is low, the outcome of infection with this amoeba is often fatal. If you plan to swim in warm freshwater bodies, it's important to take precautions such as avoiding jumping or diving into bodies of water, holding your nose shut or wearing nose clips, and avoiding water activities in warm bodies of freshwater during periods of high water temperature