Regional communities are being advised to chlorinate their house water
The amoeba, Naegleria fowleri, thrives in warm fresh water across large parts of inland Australia.
While authorities say infection is very rare, medics warn survival is even rarer.
"It causes catastrophic meningitis encephalitis, and by the time these kids are diagnosed the treatments are usually ineffective," public health physician Dr Steven Donohue said.
"We think that probably 98 per cent of cases die even in the best of hands, even in the most modern intensive care units."Naegleria fowleri was first identified in South Australia in the 1960s and has since caused 300 known deaths worldwide, mostly youth and children.
It is not only communities from north-west Queensland at risk.
The amoeba thrives in water temperatures above 25 degrees Celsius and has been discovered in lakes, creeks, dams, bores and rain water tanks across the country.
Authorities stress infection from Naegleria fowleri cannot occur from drinking, cooking or washing clothes in the water.
The danger arises when contaminated water enters the nose.
"It gets into the brain through the nose and it's usually a form of pressured water, from jumping into water or having water sprayed into your nose," paediatric intensivist Dr Greg Wiseman said.
Clinical microbiologist Dr Robert Norton said: "On the inside there is a very thin sliver of bone that separates the outside brain from the surface, and in children this bone is underdeveloped.
"And for some reason the Naegleria tends to pass through this.
"In order to make the diagnosis you have to get fluid from around the brain and sadly, even when the diagnosis is made early, treatment is very rarely effective."
The facts: Naegleria fowleri
While the likelihood of infection had once been considered extremely rare, authorities now suspect the death rate could be much higher considering diagnosis is so difficult.
"Nobody's keeping records. It's not a nationally notifiable disease and we also know perhaps the majority of cases are missed," Dr Donohue said.
The Queensland Government has launched an awareness campaign, with health officials travelling across the state to educate both doctors and families in regional communities.
With no proven cure, the message will focus on prevention.
"I think people should start to think about disinfecting the water and filtering it, particularly in the water that kids are playing and washing in," Dr Donohue said.
"We'll reduce the risk, but we won't get rid of it."
Doctors warn of another group at risk — young adults — who often dive into dams and rivers.
"People should take care when putting their head underwater if it's untreated water," Dr Donohue said.
"If they dive in they really should hold their nose.
"But these activities and behaviours are very hard for us to have much impact on.
"At least with young children parents can have some control over what water they come in contact with.
While authorities say infection is very rare, medics warn survival is even rarer.
"It causes catastrophic meningitis encephalitis, and by the time these kids are diagnosed the treatments are usually ineffective," public health physician Dr Steven Donohue said.
"We think that probably 98 per cent of cases die even in the best of hands, even in the most modern intensive care units."Naegleria fowleri was first identified in South Australia in the 1960s and has since caused 300 known deaths worldwide, mostly youth and children.
It is not only communities from north-west Queensland at risk.
The amoeba thrives in water temperatures above 25 degrees Celsius and has been discovered in lakes, creeks, dams, bores and rain water tanks across the country.
Authorities stress infection from Naegleria fowleri cannot occur from drinking, cooking or washing clothes in the water.
The danger arises when contaminated water enters the nose.
"It gets into the brain through the nose and it's usually a form of pressured water, from jumping into water or having water sprayed into your nose," paediatric intensivist Dr Greg Wiseman said.
Clinical microbiologist Dr Robert Norton said: "On the inside there is a very thin sliver of bone that separates the outside brain from the surface, and in children this bone is underdeveloped.
"And for some reason the Naegleria tends to pass through this.
"In order to make the diagnosis you have to get fluid from around the brain and sadly, even when the diagnosis is made early, treatment is very rarely effective."
The facts: Naegleria fowleri
- Naegleria fowleri was first identified in South Australia in the 1960s
- There are at least 300 known deaths from the parasite around the world, 25 in Australia
- Figures are believed to be much higher as it is very difficult to diagnose
- The amoeba exists in fresh, warm water over 25 degrees Celsius
- The amoeba gets into the brain when water enters the nose
- The disease most commonly strikes children because of an under-developed sliver of bone at the top of the nasal passage
While the likelihood of infection had once been considered extremely rare, authorities now suspect the death rate could be much higher considering diagnosis is so difficult.
"Nobody's keeping records. It's not a nationally notifiable disease and we also know perhaps the majority of cases are missed," Dr Donohue said.
The Queensland Government has launched an awareness campaign, with health officials travelling across the state to educate both doctors and families in regional communities.
With no proven cure, the message will focus on prevention.
"I think people should start to think about disinfecting the water and filtering it, particularly in the water that kids are playing and washing in," Dr Donohue said.
"We'll reduce the risk, but we won't get rid of it."
Doctors warn of another group at risk — young adults — who often dive into dams and rivers.
"People should take care when putting their head underwater if it's untreated water," Dr Donohue said.
"If they dive in they really should hold their nose.
"But these activities and behaviours are very hard for us to have much impact on.
"At least with young children parents can have some control over what water they come in contact with.