Potentially deadly brain-eating amoeba found in Qld shire’s drinking water – Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Public Health Report: Detection of Naegleria fowleri in Murweh Shire Water Supply

Incident Summary

Recent water quality testing in the Murweh Shire, south-west Queensland, has confirmed the presence of the amoeba Naegleria fowleri in the public drinking water supply servicing the towns of Charleville and Augathella. This organism, commonly found in untreated fresh water and soil, poses a significant, albeit rare, public health risk. The incident directly engages critical infrastructure and public health frameworks, highlighting challenges related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning health and water sanitation.

Health Risk Assessment and Official Advisory

Pathogen Profile and Transmission

Naegleria fowleri can cause primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a severe brain infection that is almost invariably fatal. It is crucial to note the specific transmission vector:

• Infection occurs exclusively when water containing the amoeba enters the body through the nasal passages.
• There is no risk of infection from drinking contaminated water or through skin contact during bathing or washing clothes.

The last recorded case of PAM in Queensland occurred over a decade ago. Since the year 2000, Australia has recorded five confirmed fatal cases.

Vulnerable Populations and Symptoms

Children and young adults are identified as being more susceptible to infection. The symptoms of PAM typically manifest within three to seven days of exposure and include:

1. High fever
2. Severe headache and neck stiffness
3. Nausea and vomiting
4. Confusion and hallucinations
5. Seizures

Public Health Guidance

Queensland Health has affirmed that the water supply remains safe for consumption and general domestic use. However, to mitigate the risk of infection, the following precautions have been mandated:

• Prevent water from entering the nose during showering, bathing, or washing the face.
• Supervise children closely during water-based activities.
• Avoid submerging one’s head in swimming pools filled with town water.
• Refrain from using town water for any form of nasal irrigation.

Institutional Response and Mitigation Strategy

Council Actions

The Murweh Shire Council is actively managing the situation by conducting comprehensive water testing to ascertain the full extent of the contamination. The council has communicated the need for public calm and adherence to the health advisory while it consults with qualified experts to develop a long-term mitigation strategy. This response is fundamental to restoring public confidence and ensuring the safety of community infrastructure.

Implications for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

This public health event underscores the importance of Target 3.3, which aims to end the epidemics of water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases. The detection of a fatal pathogen in a public utility directly threatens community health. The coordinated response by Queensland Health and the Murweh Shire Council represents a critical effort to safeguard population well-being and prevent a potential outbreak.

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

The incident is a stark reminder of the continuous challenges in achieving SDG 6, which calls for the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. The presence of Naegleria fowleri highlights a potential vulnerability in water treatment or distribution systems, particularly in regions susceptible to the amoeba’s preferred temperature range (25°C-40°C). The council’s investigation and planned mitigation strategy are direct actions toward fulfilling Target 6.1: to achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

Ensuring access to basic services, including a safe and reliable water supply, is a cornerstone of SDG 11. The contamination event impacts the safety and resilience of the Charleville and Augathella communities. The effectiveness of the institutional response in managing this risk and securing the water infrastructure is a measure of the community’s capacity to adapt and maintain essential services, a key component of building sustainable and resilient human settlements.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – This goal is central as the article discusses the health risks associated with the brain-eating amoeba, the potential for a fatal infection (primary amoebic meningoencephalitis), and the public health measures being taken to prevent illness.
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – This goal is directly relevant because the core issue is the contamination of a public drinking water supply with a dangerous pathogen, Naegleria fowleri. The article focuses on water safety, testing, and management.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.3: By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases.
     • Explanation: The article focuses on a “rare and potentially dangerous” water-borne pathogen, Naegleria fowleri, which causes a serious brain infection. The public health notice and preventative advice issued by Queensland Health are direct actions to combat a water-borne disease.
   • Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.
     • Explanation: The presence of the amoeba in the drinking water supply is a clear case of water contamination. The article highlights that the resulting infection is “nearly always fatal” and mentions past deaths, directly linking water contamination to mortality.
   • Target 3.d: Strengthen the capacity of all countries, in particular developing countries, for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks.
     • Explanation: The Murweh Shire Council and Queensland Health issuing a “public health notice” after testing found the amoeba is a direct example of an early warning system in action. The advice provided to residents on how to avoid infection is a form of risk reduction and management.

2. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

   • Target 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
     • Explanation: The article challenges the “safe” aspect of the water supply. Although a spokesperson states the water is “safe to drink,” it is not safe for other common uses like showering or bathing without taking precautions, indicating that the water is not fully safely managed. The detection of a hazardous amoeba directly relates to the quality and safety of the drinking water provided to the community.
   • Target 6.b: Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management.
     • Explanation: The Murweh Shire chief executive’s statement explicitly asks for the community’s help: “council is seeking your assistance to help spread the word on how to manage this risk sensibly.” This is a direct call for community participation in managing the water-related health risk.

Implied Indicators for Measuring Progress

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Indicator related to Target 3.3: Incidence of water-borne diseases.
     • Explanation: The article implies this indicator by stating, “There have been no new recorded cases of infection,” and mentioning that the most recent case in Queensland was “more than 10 years ago.” Tracking the number of new cases is the primary way to measure the incidence of the disease.
   • Indicator related to Target 3.9: Mortality rate attributed to unsafe water, unsafe sanitation and lack of hygiene (exposure to unsafe Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for All (WASH) services).
     • Explanation: The article provides data for this indicator by stating, “Since 2000, there have been five confirmed cases … each resulting in deaths,” including three children. This directly measures deaths caused by a water-borne pathogen.

2. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

   • Indicator related to Target 6.1: Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services (Indicator 6.1.1).
     • Explanation: The article implies this indicator by discussing the quality of the water. A “safely managed” service must be free of microbiological contamination. The detection of Naegleria fowleri means the water supply for Charleville and Augathella does not currently meet the criteria for being “safely managed,” even if it is deemed safe for ingestion. The council’s action of “conducting water testing to determine the extent of the contamination” is a direct activity used to measure this.

Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: abc.net.au