Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis:

Within the past 25 years more than 75 young people have died from primary amoebic meningoencephalitis. A considerable amount of research to date suggests that the appearance of this new disease pattern is influenced by water pollution. It seems that organic and thermal pollution of bodies of fresh water encourage the growth of bacteria which, in turn, encourage the activity of the amoebae responsible for primary amoebic meningoencephalitis. Virtually all victims had contacted contaminated water just prior to the onset of the disease. Drug treatment of the disease has been basically unsuccessful and is not expected to improve significantly. The need to focus our attention on the control of water pollution to prevent primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, and other possible "new” diseases, is discussed.