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PEOPLE PRIDE PROGRESS PARTNERSHIPS249 Billingsley Road
Charlotte, North Carolina 28211
www.meckhealth.org
MECKLENBURG COUNTY
Marcus Plescia, MD, MPH Health DepartmentHealth Director
June 22, 2016
Health Advisory
Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM)
Mecklenburg County and North Carolina health officials received
notification from the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the death of an Ohio
teen which may be related tounderwater exposure at the U.S.
National Whitewater Center in Charlotte. The suspected causeof
death was PAM, an infection caused byNaegleria fowleri, a
one-celled organism that does not
cause illness if swallowed, but can be fatal if forced up the
nose. The deceaseds only known
underwater exposure was believed to be riding a raft that
overturned.
Naegleria fowleriinfections are rare. In the U.S., the majority
of infections have been caused by
exposure to freshwater located in southern-tier states.
According to the CDC, fewer than 10
cases have been reported annually in the U.S. during the last 53
years. This ameba can causesevere illness up to nine days after
exposure. Initial symptoms are similar to the symptoms of
bacterial meningitis. Naegleria fowlericannot be spread from one
person to another. A person
cannot be infected withNaegleria fowleriby drinking contaminated
water and the ameba is notfound in salt water.
In warmer areas where this infection has been more common,
recommended precautions include:
Limit the amount of water going up your nose. Hold your nose
shut, use nose clips, orkeep your head above water when taking part
in warm freshwater-related activities.
Avoid water-related activities in warm fresh water during
periods of high water
temperature and low water levels.
Avoid digging in, or stirring up, the sediment while taking part
in water-related activitiesin shallow, warm fresh water areas.
For more information visit the CDC web site:
http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/naegleria/or contact your local or
state health department.
http://www.meckhealth.org/http://www.meckhealth.org/http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/naegleria/http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/naegleria/http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/naegleria/http://www.meckhealth.org/
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Reporting Communicable Diseases Mecklenburg County
To request N.C. Communicable Disease Report Cards telephone
704.336.2817 or 704.432.1742
Mark all correspondence CONFIDENTIAL
Tuberculosis:
TB Clinic 980.314.9470
Mecklenburg County Health Department FAX 704.432.24932845
Beatties Ford Road
Charlotte, NC 28216
Sexually Transmitted Diseases, HIV, AIDS:
Syphilis and HIV/AIDS Reporting 980.314.9226 or 704.614.2993
Other STD Reporting 980.314.9220
Mecklenburg County Health Department FAX 704.336.6200
700 N. Tryon Street, Suite 214
Charlotte, NC 28202
All Other Reportable Communicable Diseases including Viral
Hepatitis A, B C:
Report to any of the following nurses:
Freda Grant, RN 980.314.9204
Brian Lackey, RN 980.314.9206
Elizabeth Quinn, RN 980.314.9205
Belinda Worsham, RN 980.314.9203
Vacant 980.314.9212
Shawn Wilson, RN (Child Care Nurse) 980.314.9208
Tiffiney McKoy, RN 980.314.9207
Julie Secrest, RN 980.314.9209
Communicable Disease Control FAX 704.353.1202
Mecklenburg County Health Department After-hours 24/7
704-432-0871
700 N. Tryon Street, Suite 271
Charlotte, NC 28202
Animal Bite Consultation / Zoonoses / Rabies Prevention:
Jose Pena 980.314.9210
Communicable Disease Control FAX 704.353-1202
Mecklenburg County Health Department
700 N. Tryon Street, suite 214
Charlotte, NC 28202
State Veterinarian 919.733.3410
State after hours 919.733.3419
Suspected Food borne Outbreaks / Restaurant, Lodging, Pool and
Institutional Sanitation:
Food & Facilities Sanitation (Mon-Fri) 704.336.5100
Mecklenburg County Health Department (evenings; Sat/Sun)
980.314.1660
700 N. Tryon Street, Suite 208 (pager evenings; Sat/Sun)
704.580.0666
Charlotte, NC 28202 FAX 704.336.5306
Effective 6-21-16
