Health department warns poorly maintained pools can increase risk of getting deadly disease in WASophie GannonPerthNow – CentralTue, 20 January 2026 4:46PMCommentsComments
The Department of Health is urging people to take precautions around untreated or poorly treated water to avoid contracting the deadly amoebic meningitis.
As temperatures climb across the State, it has never been more important to ensure pools are well maintained as amoeba thrives in warm fresh water sources.
It will not survive in water that is clean and properly chlorinated.
Although rare, it is potentially fatal.
The organism is called naegleria fowleri amoeba and if forced up the nose in warm, fresh water, it can cause inflammation and destruction of brain tissue.
WA Health executive director of environmental health Tanya Gillett said the amoeba could be present in a range of warm freshwater environments when temperatures exceed 28C.
“These organisms can occur naturally in lakes, rivers and farm dams, but may also be found in garden hoses, spas and poorly maintained swimming or wading pools during hot weather,” Ms Gillett said.
“Any warm fresh water should be treated as a potential risk, particularly if water is forced up the nose.”
People living in rural or regional areas who rely on tank, bore or dam water are at higher risk.
“Children and young people are more commonly exposed due to water play and activities that increase the chance of water entering the nose,” Ms Gillett said.
“Shallow paddling pools can also pose a risk if they are left standing in the sun for extended periods.”
WA has not recorded a case since the 1980s but the department is still encouraging people to remain vigilant.
Simple steps to reduce risk include running sprinklers until cold water flows before playing, preventing water going up your nose, swimming in oceans or chlorinated pools rather than fresh water, closely monitoring pool chlorine levels, cleaning wading pools and drying after each use, and flushing out pipes before showering and bathing.
In its early stages, symptoms include headache, fever and stiff neck, but after the start of symptoms, the disease progresses rapidly.
For more information on symptoms visit here.
For more information about amoebic meningitis visit here.
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