Teen In Critical Condition With Infection From Warm Freshwater 1 Week After 8-Year-Old Girl Died From Brain-Eating Amoeba

A North Carolina teenager is critically ill after contracting a rare brain-eating amoeba found in warm freshwater, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) said in an Aug. 27 press release.

Read more Here Are The Best Colleges For Rural America

The teenager, not identified, has been infected with Naegleria fowleri and is receiving medical care, according to the same press release. The brain-eating amoeba is typically found in warm freshwater such as lakes, rivers, and hot springs, according to the NCDHHS’s website. It can also be found in poorly maintained swimming pools, splash pads, and tap water, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states.

Infection occurs when contaminated water enters an individual’s nose and travels to their brain, causing primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), the NCDHHS said. A total of 167 cases of PAM have been reported in the U.S. between 1962 and 2024, according to the CDC.

The disease is fast-progressing and is usually fatal, with 97% of people dying from PAM. Symptoms of the disease include headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, loss of balance, and hallucinations.

Dr. Zack Moore, a state epidemiologist with the NCDHHS, emphasized, “While these infections are very rare, this is an important reminder that this amoeba is present in our state and across the U.S. There are steps people can take to reduce their risk of infection while swimming during the warmer months.”

Read more EXCLUSIVE: ‘Delete From The Deleted File’ — Fauci Tried To Destroy Gain-Of-Function Research Email, New Docs Reveal

“Our hearts go out to this teen’s family, friends, and loved ones as they navigate this difficult time,” Moore added. (RELATED: Hospital Patients Reportedly Paralyzed After Medication Mix-Up During Surgery)

The teen’s case is not the only recent instance of the brain-eating amoeba.

Lillian Smart, an 8-year-old girl from Louisiana, died the weekend of Aug. 22 after contracting an infection from Naegleria fowleri, Scripps News reported. The child was likely infected while swimming in Lake Claiborne, according to the Louisiana Department of Health.

To mitigate the risk of contracting brain-eating amoeba, the CDC advises individuals to wear nose clips when jumping or diving into freshwater.

Read more Scottie Scheffler Reveals ‘Well-Earned’ Post-Season Treat After Championship Win