Fatal Case of Naegleria fowleri Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis from Indoor Surfing Center, Taiwan, 2023

Abstract

We investigated a fatal case of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis from an indoor surfing center in Taiwan. The case was detected through encephalitis syndromic surveillance. Of 56 environmental specimens, 1 was positive for Naegleria fowleri ameba. This report emphasizes the risk for N. fowleri infection from inadequately disinfected recreational waters, even indoors.

Keywords

• Naegleria fowleri
• primary amoebic meningoencephalitis
• meningitis/encephalitis
• parasites
• next-generation sequencing
• syndromic surveillance