North Carolina Teen Dies From Near-100% Fatal Amoeba Infection Days After 8-Year-Old's Death
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Sep 1
North Carolina Teen Dies From Near-100% Fatal Amoeba Infection Days After 8-Year-Old's Death
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 1
Summary
North Carolina health officials said a teenager died after contracting Naegleria fowleri, a rare warm-freshwater amoeba that causes primary amebic meningoencephalitis, or PAM.
Nearly 100% of cases are fatal because the organism can reach the brain when contaminated water is forced up the nose during diving, jumping or water sports; swallowing the water does not cause illness.
About 5 days after exposure, symptoms can start with headache, nausea, fever or vomiting, then rapidly progress to confusion, seizures, coma and death—often within 1 to 18 days after symptoms begin.
The death came days after an 8-year-old Louisiana girl died from the same infection, prompting renewed warnings to avoid warm stagnant freshwater, use nose clips and not stir up lake or pond sediment.