Journal of Tourism & Hospitality
Open Access

Abstract

Summer Recreational Water Tourism: A Deadly Human Encounter with Naegleria fowleri

Said M Ladki and Jad Abdul Samad

This paper reports about a pathogenic free-living organism that’s affecting the quality of recreational waters in the three states. Naegleria fowleri, multiplies in fresh water during warm seasons which coincides with peak outdoor tourism activities. The deadly organism is acquired while swimming, during which it easily enters the nostrils and reaches the brain. If the recreational water supply of a destination were to be compromised, the whole tourism cycle may be at risk. Swimming in freshwater and untreated pools increases the threat. There are no established standards for controlling the occurrence of Naegleria fowleri in fresh water. The ideal method of preventing infection is by refraining from engaging in recreational activities in fresh bodies of water during summer months.