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North Carolina teen dies after contracting rare brain-eating amoeba found in freshwater: Officials
ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos • • general
Key Points:
- A North Carolina teenager has died from a rare brain-eating amoeba, Naegleria fowleri, which is found in warm freshwater such as ponds, lakes, and rivers.
- The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reported the teen was critically ill last Thursday and died on Monday, noting the disease progresses rapidly and is usually fatal within about five days after symptoms begin.
- Naegleria fowleri infection occurs when contaminated water is forced up the nose during water activities like diving or water-skiing, but swallowing the water does not cause illness.
- The U.S. typically records fewer than 10 cases annually of this infection, also known as primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), with early symptoms including severe headache, nausea, vomiting, and fever.
- In a related incident, an 8-year-old girl in Louisiana recently died from the same amoeba, likely contracted while swimming in a lake.
