A popular swimming spot has been shut down after a potentially-fatal organism was detected.
The water in Drakesbrook Weir in Waroona, south of Perth, came back positive for the naegleria amoeba after routine fortnightly testing.
The worrying discovery sparked an urgent warning for the public to stay out of the water ‘until further notice’.
The organism detected is similar to the horrific brain-eating naegleria fowleri.
The Shire of Waroona is now working to rule out the presence of the deadly naegleria fowleri, The West Australian reported.
It’s the third time the weir has been closed this year due of the presence of amoeba after earlier detections on January and April.
The Shire of Waroona has urged any swimmer who had recently submerged their head underwater at the swimming spot and has felt unwell or concerned to seek medical attention.
The amoeba organism thrives in warm stagnant water – so as temperatures rises over summer, swimmers should be cautious about going into untreated bodies of water.
Drakesbrook Weir in Waroona, south of Perth (pictured) has been closed to swimmers for the third time this year after a potentially fatal organism was found in the water
Swimmers have been urged to stay out of the water at the popular weir until further notice
The council has erected warning signs around the weir to make swimmers aware of the serious health risks.
Drakesbrook Weir is a popular spot for locals and tourists due to its grassy picnic area, floating swimming platform and freshwater beach.
Naegleria fowleri causes the disease primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), also called amoebic meningitis, which is a brain infection that leads to the destruction of brain tissue, according to NSW Health.
In its early stages, symptoms of PAM may be similar to symptoms of bacterial meningitis.
Initial symptoms may include headache, fever, nausea, or vomiting.
Later symptoms include a stiff neck, confusion, lack of attention to people and surroundings, loss of balance, seizures, and hallucinations.
The disease progresses quickly after the symptoms are first experienced and death usually occurs within five days.
The amoeba organism thrives in warm, stagnant water and swimmers are being urged to be careful of entering an untreated body of water as the temperatures become hotter over summer
The organism grows in warm water between 25C and 46C, and can be found in lakes, rivers, dams, bores, tanks and pipelines.
It can also grow in natural hot waters such as hot springs and can also be found in swimming pools that are poorly maintained, under-chlorinated or unchlorinated.
There have only been three reported cases of amoebic meningitis in Western Australia since the 1980s but swimmers have still been warned to practice caution.
People have been known to be struck down by the infection from bodies of freshwater that don’t have enough chlorine such as pools or water parks.
