So what is this organism? And how significant is the risk likely to be in these Queensland towns, and elsewhere?

What is the brain-eating amoeba?

If someone is infected with N. fowleri, it causes what’s called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, a serious infection of the brain.

A global review of the disease up to 2018 reported that, of 381 known cases, Australia accounted for 22, the fifth highest number, after the US, Pakistan, Mexico and India. Some 92 per cent of people died.

How do people get infected?

The route of infection is very unusual and quite specific. N. fowleri infects the brain through a person’s nose. The amoeba then passes through a protective membrane called the nasal epithelium.

Regarding the recent detection in Queensland water supply systems, the source of the infection has not been reported. It’s possible a fresh waterway, or groundwater, which feeds into the affected drinking water systems, was contaminated with N. fowleri, and the amoeba travelled from there. But this will likely be determined with further investigation.

Is it dangerous in drinking water?

But any activity that allows infected water to enter a person’s nose is potentially dangerous. This can happen during a bath or a shower.

Even young children playing with hoses, sprinklers or water activities could be at risk. A 16-month-old child was fatally infected following an incident involving a contaminated water “splash pad” in the US in 2023. Splash pads are water-based recreation activities, primarily for young children, that involve splashing or spraying water.

What is the risk in Queensland?

All public town water supplies across Australia are regularly tested to ensure that water is safe to drink.