North Carolina teenager dies from rare freshwater amoeba infection

A North Carolina teenager died on Monday after becoming infected with Naegleria fowleri, a rare amoeba that can cause fatal brain infection when water enters the nose. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services confirmed the death on Tuesday and said the teen had been critically ill for several days.

The department noted that once symptoms appear, the disease progresses quickly and usually results in death within about five days. Early signs mimic meningitis, including severe headache, fever, nausea, neck stiffness, confusion and seizures, according to Dr. John Brownstein, a medical contributor for ABC News.

Naegleria fowleri thrives in warm freshwater such as ponds, lakes and rivers and is most common in hotter water. It does not cause illness if swallowed, but can be fatal when water containing the organism is forced up the nose during activities like jumping, diving or water-skiing. State officials are working with federal partners, including the CDC, to investigate possible sources of the infection.

Health officials emphasized that cases are rare and urged the public to take simple precautions, such as keeping the nose closed or using a nose clip when entering freshwater, to reduce the risk of exposure.

"We extend our condolences to the family, friends and community impacted by this loss," the department said in a statement.

"NCDHHS is coordinating closely with our federal partners at the CDC as well as our local health departments to investigate all possible sources of this Naegleria fowleri case. The investigation remains ongoing at this time," a spokesperson added.