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Report points to ‘most likely’ source of brain-eating amoeba that killed North Carolina teen
WBTV • • health
Key Points:
- Health officials identified an outdoor water feature at El Futuro in Durham County as the most likely source of the brain-eating amoeba Naegleria fowleri that caused the death of a North Carolina teenager last month.
- The amoeba's DNA was found inside a storage tank of the garden feature, which the teenager had visited on August 13 and splashed water on their face, matching the typical incubation period before symptoms appeared.
- The interactive manmade creek, featuring fountains and a play water pump, was maintained by power washing and manual chlorination but had heavy algal growth and a water temperature of 91.4°F, ideal for the amoeba's growth.
- Following the investigation, the Durham County Health Department ordered the immediate closure of the water feature on August 28, and it remains drained and closed to the public.
