State health officials warn against dangers of swimming in Oklahoma lakes

OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — The Oklahoma State Department of Health has issued a warning for residents swimming in warm natural bodies of water.

As the weather warms up, recreational bodies of water can be contaminated with germs from sewage spills, animal waste and water runoff. The risk for primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) also increases in the heat of the summer.

PAM is a rare and usually deadly disease caused by infection with a single-celled organism. The organisms can be found in most lakes, ponds, and rivers and multiply in very warm and stagnant water.

Swimmers can be exposed to the amoeba by diving or submerging their head in contaminated water. The amoeba then travels up the nose to the brain where it destroys brain tissue. If exposed to the PAM symptoms can be high fever, stiff neck, hallucinations and coma. In August 2015, a woman contracted PAM from an Oklahoma lake and later died.

Blue-green algae is also a problem present in some Oklahoma lakes. The algae can produce toxins which result in illness.

Swimmers can suffer a skin rash, eye, ear and throat irritation, asthma-like symptoms and diarrhea if they come in touch with algae blooms.

Health officials encourage swimmers to do the following to avoid illness while swimming in lakes:

• Hold your nose or use nose plugs when jumping or diving into water.
• Never swim in stagnant or polluted water.
• Do not swim in areas posted as "No Swimming".
• Avoid swallowing water from rivers, lakes, streams or stock ponds.
• Use earplugs, swim goggles or masks if you tend to get ear or eye infections.