Lachlan Shire is looking after their residents by raising awareness of current health threats.

Of particular concern is the threat of amoebic meningitis as water temperatures rise. This awareness comes via an alert from the Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) who are urging precautions around untreated or poorly treated water to protect themselves and their loved ones from a very rare but serious infection.

MLHD Public Health Director Alison Nikitas said people shouldn’t be alarmed by primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, but in summer months it did present a risk that can be avoided with some easy precautions.

“Every summer we remind communities that warm conditions that increase water temperatures mean any unchlorinated water supply that seasonally exceeds 30 degrees C or continually exceeds 25 degrees C may be a risk,” Ms Nikitas said.

“Amoebic meningitis can occur if untreated water goes up someone’s nose, so people should be careful when they are around unchlorinated water. Children and young people appear to be more susceptible than adults to this rare infection.

The amoebas that cause primary amoebic meningoencephalitis live in warm, fresh water and soil, but the amoebas cannot survive in water that is clean, cool and adequately chlorinated."

Ms Nikitas said those living on farms should be vigilant.

"At particular risk are people who have their own tank, dam or bore water supply, such as those living on farms, and people with poorly maintained swimming pools," she said. “For instance, shallow wading pools are particularly at risk if they have been left in the sun for a long time. Other places that can create an environment for the amoebas include lakes, rivers, dams, bores, tanks, garden hoses, natural hot springs, and spa and swimming pools that are poorly maintained."

While many people can have contact with the amoebas, only a small number develop serious illness.

The best way to avoid infection is:

• Avoid jumping or diving into bodies of warm fresh water or thermal pools
• Keep your head above water in spas, thermal pools and warm fresh water bodies
• Ensure swimming pools and spas are adequately chlorinated and well maintained
• Empty and clean small collapsible wading pools and let them dry in the sun after each use
• Flush warm water from hoses before allowing children to play with hoses or sprinklers.

If you are using unchlorinated water:

• Don’t allow water to go up your nose when bathing, showering or washing your face
• Supervise children playing with hoses or sprinklers and teach them not to squirt water up their nose

Initial symptoms of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis start one to nine days after infection. These may include headache, fever, nausea, or vomiting. Later symptoms can include stiff neck, confusion, lack of attention to people and surroundings, loss of balance, seizures, and hallucinations.

Anyone who is experiencing these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention