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Teen who died from brain-eating amoeba likely infected from community center water feature: Officials
ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos • • nation
Key Points:
- A North Carolina teenager died from an infection caused by the rare brain-eating amoeba Naegleria fowleri, likely contracted from a water feature at a community center in Durham County.
- Naegleria fowleri thrives in warm freshwater and can be fatal if contaminated water enters the brain through the nose, though it does not cause illness if swallowed.
- The teen was hospitalized on August 22 and passed away on August 31; investigations revealed the probable exposure occurred on August 13 when the teen splashed water on their face from the community center's garden water feature.
- No other potential sources of infection were found, and the water feature has been closed since August 28 pending testing and public health investigations.
- The mental health care center expressed condolences and pledged full cooperation with health officials while supporting the family and community through the tragedy.
