I posted this sort of as a joke, because of the Lake Havasu connection. But
after seeing your email, I googled it, and found this site from the CDC:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/naegleria/factsht_naegleria.htm

It actually suggests that what the article said was correct.  In particular,
it says that while some treatments in the lab appear effective, in fact all
people who have contracted this have died.  They term the disease it causes
primary amebic meningoencephalitis, not parasitic encephalitis.  Sounds like
this might be something different from what your mother worked on, Mike.

The website above does suggest ways to avoid it (which do NOT include
staying out of the water), so if you're concerned, have a look.

And as this really isn't a vanagon issue, I promise I won't post on it
again!

Joy

:::-----Original Message-----
:::From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
:::Of Mike Riley
:::Sent: Sunday, September 30, 2007 9:59 AM
:::To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
:::Subject: brain-eating
:::
:::this article was full of sensationalism and wrong facts.
:::
:::My mother did a lot of the early work on this at the epa,
:::it is called parasitic encephalitis, the ameoba just reproduces untill it
:::physicially
:::blocks the blood flow. It can be cured with antibiotics if it is properly
:::diagnosed in time.
:::mike