Louisiana water contaminated with brain-eating amoeba

Louisiana water contaminated with brain-eating amoeba
(Image credit: iStock)

Water in Louisiana's St. John the Baptist Parish underwent a chlorine burn Thursday after brain-eating amoeba were found in the water system.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals issued an emergency order Wednesday for the chlorine burn. The order called for elevated chlorine levels to kill the Naegleria fowleri amoeba, which infects the brain. Officials are monitoring the water and say it is now safe to drink.

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Meghan DeMaria

Meghan DeMaria is a staff writer at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked for USA Today and Marie Claire.