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Arkansas child, Kali Hardig, in critical condition battling Naegleria fowleri

In a follow-up to a recent report, the 12-year-old girl who contacted the greater than 99 percent lethal “brain-eating amoeba”is currently in critical condition at the Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock, according to a CNN report July 29.

Naegleria fowleri Image/CDC

Naegleria fowleri
Image/CDC

Last week, the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the presence of the cause of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), the free-living amoeba, Naegleria fowleri.

It is believed that Kali Hardig contracted the very dangerous parasite at the the Willow Springs Water Park. There was a Naegleria case linked to the water park in 2010 also.

At the request of ADH officials, the water park closed last week.

LISTEN: Interview with CDC Medical Epidemiologist, Dr. Jennifer Cope

People typically contract this parasite when contaminated water rushes up the nose when jumping into the water. Once the amoeba enters the nose, it travels to the brain where it causes PAM. There are also reports ofcontracting it via neti pot use.

CNN reports that physicians immediately started treating Hardig with an anti-fungal medicine, antibiotics and a new experimental anti-amoeba drug doctors got directly from the CDC. They have also reduced the girl’s temperature to 93 degrees. Doctors have used that technique in some brain injury cases as a way to preserve undamaged brain tissue.

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About the Author

- Writer, Co-Founder and Executive Editor of The Global Dispatch. Robert has been covering news in the areas of health, world news and politics for a variety of online news sources. He is also the Editor-in-Chief of the website, Outbreak News Today and hosts the podcast, Outbreak News Interviews on iTunes, Stitcher and Spotify Robert is politically Independent and a born again Christian Follow @bactiman63

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  1. Kali Hardig’s condition continues to improve, expected to leave ICU tomorrow - The Global Dispatch says:

    […] Arkansas child, Kali Hardig, in critical condition battling Naegleria fowleri […]

  2. Katie Couric to feature Naegleria survivor, Kali Hardig in October - The Global Dispatch says:

    […] was infected with the parasite in late July, believed contracted at a Arkansas water park. She was “critical condition” and treated with a variety of drugs including the investigational drug, […]

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