Child Dead, Lily Lake Closed Due to Lethal Organism

A rare form of meningitis is the suspected cause of a death of a child who had recently gone swimming in according to the Minnesota Department of Health. Lily Lake has been closed to swimming until further notice.

According to a press release, the department is investigating the death of an elementary school-aged child who “had gone swimming at multiple locations in Washington County in the two weeks prior to illness onset, including Lily Lake in Stillwater.”

The rare and deadly brain infection caused by the microorganism, Naegleria, found in the water has claimed the lives of two Minnesota children within the last two years. Lily Lake is also the likely source of the previous Minnesota case.

The investigation is looking into a very rare form of meningitis, the primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), caused by an amoeba associated with warm freshwater. It can cause the very rare but severe brain infection and is almost always fatal.

“Infections are very rare, even though Naegleria is commonly found in freshwater all over the world. While it can occur anywhere, infection with Naegleria usually occurs in warm southern states in the United States,” the release said. “Forty cases were reported in the United States from 2001 through 2011. The only previously confirmed case of this infection in Minnesota was reported in August of 2010.”

The organism infects people by entering the body through the nose. Generally, this occurs when people use warm freshwater for activities such as swimming and diving.

Confirmation will be made with the assistance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“The risk of infection from Naegleria in Minnesota is very low," said Richard Danila, Assistant State Epidemiologist. “Swimming is a very healthy summertime activity and we do not want to discourage people from swimming. Rather, simply avoid swimming, diving or other activities in obviously stagnant water when temperatures are high and water levels are low,” Danila said.

Some additional precautions to take while swimming in extremely warm periods include keeping your head out of the water, using nose clips or holding the nose shut, and avoid stirring up sediment at the bottom of shallow freshwater areas.

Links to other coverage:
Star Tribune: Amoeba in Stillwater's Lily Lake suspected in boy's death

Pioneer Press: Stillwater: Lily Lake closed after second child dies of parasitic brain infection

Fox 9: Lily Lake closed to swimmers after suspected PAM death

WCCO: Health Officials: Lake-Living Amoeba Suspected In Child’s Death