Chapter last reviewed and updated in May 2012.
Primary meningoencephalitis is a rare condition. It was first recognised in New Zealand in 1968 among people who had been swimming in untreated thermal pools in the central North Island. There were eight fatal cases between 1968 and 1978, and a further death was reported in 2000.
More detailed epidemiological information is available on the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) surveillance website.
Symptoms may begin with a change in taste or smell, followed by headache, nausea, vomiting, confusion, fever, stiff neck and mental status changes. The infection typically affects the olfactory bulb and grey matter of the frontal, temporal and cerebellar lobes and usually runs a rapid course with death within 6 days of onset of symptoms.
Especially consider if not responding to treatment for bacterial causes of infection and there is a history of exposure to geothermal water.
Laboratory confirmation requires demonstration in cerebrospinal fluid of the causative organism – usually Naegleria fowleri.
Three to seven days.
Naegleria infection can be acquired by exposure of the nasal passages (by diving or swimming) to contaminated (usually warm) fresh or inadequately treated water.
No person-to-person transmission.
Attending medical practitioners or laboratories must immediately notify the local medical officer of health of suspected cases. Notification should not await confirmation.
Obtain history of submersion in thermal water. Ensure laboratory confirmation has been attempted.
Nil.
Advise the case and their caregivers of the nature of the infection and its mode of transmission.
The case should be under the care of an infectious diseases physician.
People who have swum in the same pool as the case within the last week.
Nil.
Advise all contacts of the incubation period and common symptoms of meningo-encephalitis. Encourage them to seek early medical attention if symptoms develop.
Identify pools where the case swam and, where practical and appropriate, advise against further recreational use. Liaise with local territorial authority staff to investigate potential sources of infection; see ‘Reporting’ below.
Swimming pools containing residual-free chlorine of 1–2 ppm are considered safe. All pools should comply with the New Zealand Pool Water Quality Standard (5826: 2000). An additional means of minimising risk is to use a heat exchanger to heat non-geothermal water.
Consider a media release and direct communication with local schools and health professionals to encourage prompt reporting of symptoms in those who have used the implicated pool. In communications with doctors, include recommendations regarding diagnosis.
Advise the public of the danger of immersing head, especially the nose, in untreated thermal pools.
Ensure complete case information is entered into EpiSurv.
On receiving a notification, medical officers of health should immediately contact 0800GETMOH - CD option.
The Ministry of Health will notify appropriate staff in the Ministry for Primary Industries so that further investigation of the source can be undertaken.