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Ian A. Wright, Associate Professor in Environmental Science, Western Sydney University

A deadly brain-eating amoeba lurks in freshwater swimming holes – here’s what you need to know

Goami/Shutterstock

On hot summer days, hitting the beach is a great way to have fun and cool off. But if you’re not near the salty ocean, you might opt for swimming in a freshwater stream, river, lake or pool.

These freshwater swimming holes are great, but they come with a hidden danger. While it’s very rare, it can be deadly – a brain infection by a microbe widely known as the “brain-eating amoeba”.

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