UVZ: No Naegleria Fowleri Found in Water Samples from Swimming Pool in Sturovo

Bratislava, 13 November 13 (TASR) - Water samples taken from the Vadas swimming pool in Sturovo (Nitra region) in June in connection with the death of an 11-year-old boy haven't confirmed the presence of the Naegleria fowleri (NF) amoeba, TASR was told by the Public Health Authority (UVZ) on Thursday. "We didn't confirm Naegleria fowleri in the samples tested in the laboratory. This information means that in the sample tested, taken at that time and place, NF wasn't confirmed in the lab or was below the detection limit, which doesn't rule out the possibility that NF could be present in other places," said the authority. UVZ added that the presence of amoebae (genus Naegleria and genus Acanthamoeba) has been repeatedly confirmed by laboratory tests at the Vadas swimming pool. "If the genus Naegleria is confirmed by laboratory tests, this indicates the risk that conditions are suitable for the occurrence of other species of this genus, including NF," said UVZ, noting that monitoring of bathing water quality with a focus on the occurrence of amoebae is continuing. The epidemiological testing of water samples from the swimming pool is related to the death of an 11-year-old boy who was infected with the Naegleria fowleri micro-organism. The boy took part in a swimming course at Vadas at the beginning of June. The thermal resort was subsequently closed on a temporary basis. am/df