Geographic Range of Recreational Water–Associated Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis, United States, 1978–2018

Abstract

Naegleria fowleri is a free-living ameba that causes primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a rare but usually fatal disease. We analyzed trends in recreational water exposures associated with PAM cases reported during 1978–2018 in the United States. Although PAM incidence remained stable, the geographic range of exposure locations expanded northward.

Keywords

• Naegleria fowleri
• ameba
• central nervous system protozoal infections
• lakes
• rivers
• temperature