Tragic Death of Boy in South Carolina Linked to Brain-Eating Amoeba
A 12-year-old boy from South Carolina tragically died after contracting Naegleria fowleri, a deadly brain-eating amoeba found in freshwater bodies during summer. The case highlights the importance of water safety and awareness of this rare but fatal infection.
A 12-year-old boy from South Carolina has succumbed to a rare and deadly infection caused by the brain-eating amoeba Naegleria fowleri. The infection was contracted after the boy swam in Lake Murray, a large freshwater reservoir near Columbia. His family's attorney confirmed his death, which occurred on July 18, highlighting the potential dangers of freshwater bodies during warmer months.
Doctors at Prisma Health Children's Hospital identified Naegleria fowleri as the culprit. This microscopic organism inhabits warm, untreated freshwater environments and poses a significant health risk during the summer when water temperatures rise and water levels decrease, increasing the chance of exposure.
Naegleria fowleri infection is exceedingly rare but nearly always fatal. Since 1962, only four individuals in the United States have survived out of 167 reported cases, according to the CDC. The amoeba infects individuals when contaminated water enters the brain through the nose, often during activities like swimming or diving.
Once it reaches the brain, the amoeba causes primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a rapidly progressing disease characterized by symptoms such as headache, fever, vomiting, and nausea. Early diagnosis is critical but challenging, and most infected individuals die within days.
Recent cases include a Nebraska child in 2022, a Texas boy in 2020 who played in water parks or used water hoses, and others who contracted the infection through nasal rinsing with contaminated tap water. The CDC emphasizes the importance of using sterile, boiled, or distilled water for nasal irrigation to prevent infection.
While water parks and splash pads are generally safe when properly chlorinated, improper water treatment can increase the risk of Naegleria fowleri exposure. The incidence underscores the importance of awareness and preventive measures during the summer months.
Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-boy-dies-brain-amoeba-south.html
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