North Carolina teenager dies from Naegleria fowleri infection
A North Carolina teen died on Aug. 31 after contracting a rare Naegleria fowleri infection, the state health department said, and issued safety advice for warm freshwater activities.
A North Carolina teenager died on Aug. 31 after developing an infection caused by the Naegleria fowleri amoeba, the state Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) confirmed. The agency noted that the organism is naturally found in warm freshwater such as ponds, lakes and rivers, and that infection occurs when water containing the amoeba enters the nose and reaches the brain.
"The illness is rare but almost always fatal if the amoeba goes up the nose and to the brain," the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states on its website.
NCDHHS advised the public to keep their noses closed or heads above water when entering warm freshwater, especially later in summer, and to avoid jumping or diving during periods of high water temperatures and low water levels. The department said it will not release further details to protect the family’s privacy.