Warming waters could expand brain-eating amoeba risk
A North Carolina teenager is critically ill from a rare brain-eating amoeba infection likely contracted while swimming in freshwater. This incident follows a recent death of an 8-year-old in Louisiana who contracted the same infection. The amoeba, Naegleria fowleri, is found in warm freshwater and can cause a rare but often deadly brain infection.
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- ✓ The brain-eating amoeba, Naegleria fowleri, is found in warm freshwater.
- ✓ The amoeba can cause a rare but often deadly brain infection.
- ✓ A North Carolina teenager is critically ill from the infection.
- ✓ An 8-year-old died from the infection in Louisiana.
What changed
A second child has been infected with the brain-eating amoeba, following the death of an 8-year-old in Louisiana.
Live updates
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Warming waters may expand brain-eating amoeba risk
A North Carolina teenager is critically ill from a rare brain-eating amoeba infection likely contracted while swimming in freshwater. This incident follows a recent death of an 8-year-old in Louisiana who contracted the same infection. The amoeba, Naegleria fowleri, is found in warm freshwater and can cause a rare but often deadly brain infection.
Why it matters
The brain-eating amoeba infection is extremely rare but often fatal. According to health officials, the amoeba enters the body through the nose and migrates to the brain, causing severe damage. The risk of infection increases in warm freshwater environments, which are becoming more common due to rising water temperatures.
What is confirmed
- The brain-eating amoeba, Naegleria fowleri, is found in warm freshwater.
- The amoeba can cause a rare but often deadly brain infection.
- A North Carolina teenager is critically ill from the infection.
- An 8-year-old died from the infection in Louisiana.
Still unconfirmed
- The North Carolina teen's exposure location is under investigation.
What to watch next
- Investigation into the North Carolina teen's exposure location
- Development of new treatments or prevention methods for the brain-eating amoeba infection
- Rising water temperatures and their impact on the amoeba's habitat
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (6)
- WRAL — Warming waters could expand brain-eating amoeba risk
- WRAL — NC teen has rare brain infection likely caused by swimming. Where did exposure happen? Are you safe?
- CNN — 8-year-old dies from rare brain-eating amoeba likely contracted while swimming in Louisiana lake
- Raleigh News & Observer — Central NC family starts fundraiser for teen hospitalized with brain-eating amoeba
- People.com — Second Child Infected with Brain-Eating Amoeba Following Death of 8-Year-Old
- ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos — North Carolina teen critically ill from rare brain-eating amoeba found in freshwater, officials say
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