NC teen critically ill with amoeba found in warm, fresh water
A North Carolina teenager is in critical condition after contracting a rare brain infection caused by the Naegleria fowleri amoeba. Health officials warn that the organism is found in warm freshwater and can be fatal if forced up the nose.
Why it matters
While rare, the infection is highly lethal, and the report serves as a public health warning regarding the risks of swimming in warm, untreated water.
A central North Carolina teenager is critically ill with a rare infection caused by an amoeba commonly found in warm freshwater, state health officials said Thursday.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services said the teen has an infection caused by Naegleria fowleri, a microscopic organism that can damage the brain. NCHHS did not say where the teen was in the water to encounter the amoeba, but Naegleria fowleri poses a danger to anyone who swims in warm lakes, rivers or ponds.
Infection can happen when contaminated water is forced up the nose, such as when someone dives or jumps into warm freshwater. The amoeba is not found in salt water or in properly maintained and chlorinated swimming pools, according to health officials.
To protect the family's privacy, no identifying information was released.
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