After reading this report, I really lamented what has happened to nature in recent years? The sudden epidemic that started in 2020 has left people struggling to cope with it, and it has not dissipated yet. Now this "brain-eating bug" has appeared again, which reminds people of the first level of the movie "Train to Busan" scene. Biohazard-like viruses and organisms are invading humans on a large scale, how will we deal with it?

1. Who is the "brain-eating worm"?

Brain-eating worms are parasites that live in tropical freshwaters. Also known as amoeba. It is a kind of single-celled protozoa. Although they are very small, mostly only 10 to 30 microns, they have all five internal organs, including a "mouth", a "pharynx" and an "anus". As they move, their shapes constantly change, hence the name "amoebae." Brain-eating amoebas can be suspended in water or settle in soil. They like moisture and heat. They can be found in rivers, ponds, puddles, etc. They can even be found in hot water and moist soil.

The "eating" of human brains by brain-eating amoebas actually means that after the protozoa enter the human brain, they multiply rapidly and then spread along the meninges to the center of the brain, causing purulent meningoencephalitis, vascular hemorrhage and brain parenchyma. Necrosis. Since brain-eating amoebas live by eating bacteria and other microorganisms in nature, they often harbor many bacteria in their bodies, so they may also bring bacteria into the brain and cause bacterial inflammation.

In addition, bugs enter the human body through the nasal cavity, then enter the brain through the olfactory nerve, and then secrete a digestive solution that can decompose human brain tissue for their own consumption, just like what is shown in horror movies. Eaten human brains. This is also the origin of the name "brain-eating worm".

2. Symptoms of "brain-eating worm" after infecting the human body

The incubation period after infection with brain-eating amoeba is 3-7 Today, the initial symptoms include fever, headache, loss of smell, respiratory damage, etc. These symptoms are very similar to the early symptoms of COVID-19. As brain damage becomes severe, severe symptoms such as insanity, speech impairment, amnesia, and paralysis appear.

The 50-year-old Korean man mentioned in the news before returned to South Korea from a business trip in Thailand and began to have fever, headache and other symptoms similar to the new coronavirus. He didn't pay much attention at first, but he started to vomit the next day, and suddenly lost his speech ability, unable to speak, and his eyes were dull. After his family found out, they immediately sent him to the hospital for treatment. But it was too late and he eventually died. Finally, after the doctor examined the deceased, they discovered that it was this little bug that was responsible.

3. The transmission route of "brain-eating worms"

The main way is through water transmission and then enters the human nasal cavity, and then gradually penetrates into the nerves and human brain. This means that water sports such as swimming, diving, water skiing, and even washing your face and hair may be infected.

It can also spread through the air. The "brain-eating amoeba" will form a double-layered sac on the outside to wrap itself into a spherical shape, and then hide it inside to greatly increase its survival rate. At the same time, it will also increase its suspension in the air to facilitate flying, diffusion, and parasitism. This means that people who encounter air, dust, etc. that contain this species may also be infected.

4. The global distribution area of ??"brain-eating worm" disease

In fact, this is not the first time that this kind of creature has come into people's sight. The first case of this infection in the world has appeared In 1937, that is, the United States 85 years ago. According to statistics, as of 2018, the official government has reported 381 related cases.

And from a regional perspective, this kind of infection cases are all over the world, such as the Australian infection case in 1970, the first case in my country in 1978, and several cases in 1991, 1996, 2003, 2006, etc. But compared to these few cases, the main concentration of cases in the world is actually the United States. According to data from July 2019, there have been at least 146 confirmed cases in the history of the United States, accounting for nearly half of the total cases.

5. Prevention of "brain-eating worm" diseases

To prevent infection, we must do the following three points:

First of all: try to avoid being in unclean places You can swim, bathe and wash your face in river water, lake water, pond water and hot spring water. After entering an environment where you may be infected, you need to pay attention to nasal disinfection, use sterile water to wash your nose, etc.

Secondly: It is best to use a nose clip when swimming to prevent dirty water from flowing into the nose.

Moreover: If you develop any suspicious symptoms such as headache, vomiting, abnormal sense of smell, or fever after swimming or touching your head in dirty water, seek medical attention immediately. Control the disease to its early stages.

At present, the mortality rate of this disease is extremely high, and there are almost no effective treatments after infection. Fortunately, the source of infection is very few, and no waters in my country have been found to contain brain-eating amoeba. Its survival conditions are extremely harsh. It can only grow in tropical warm fresh water and can only enter the brain through the nasal cavity. If the drinking water contains brain-eating amoeba, it will not cause infection. And there is no problem of human-to-human transmission. Therefore, the global prevalence rate is also extremely low, and this is also the first case in South Korea. So there is no need to panic too much.