Cattle are the natural reservoir of this organism. Humans can be infected through contact with water contaminated by cattle excrement. Leptospirosis A disease associated with swimming in small farm ponds and slow moving streams alongside fields where cattle and swine are pastured. The infecting agent enters the water in animal urine. Symptoms include headache, fever, chills, and a rash.
Fatality rate is low.
Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis Infection occurs when the amoeba penetrates the mucous membranes of the nasal cavity. Once infection is initiated, the amoeba pass directly along the olfactory nerve plexus into the brain. Epidemiological data show that death from this disease occurs within one week from date of infection. Evidence suggests that infection is more likely to occur in persons who swim near the bottom of a freshwater lake. Although this disease is not commonly associated with swimming, it can occur after swimming downstream from a sewage treatment plant, or combined sewer overflow.