Youngster dies from brain-eating amoeba after swimming in South Carolina lake

A pediatric demise from a “brain-eating amoeba” has been reported in South Carolina, based on well being officers.

Prisma Health Richland Hospital in Columbia publicly confirmed the demise on July 22, based on a press release from the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) despatched to Fox News Digital.

The affected person died after publicity to Naegleria fowleri, a uncommon amoeba that causes a life-threatening mind an infection known as main amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM).

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“The July 2025 exposure to the organism Naegleria fowleri likely occurred at Lake Murray, but we cannot be completely certain, as this organism occurs naturally and is present in many warm water lakes, rivers and streams,” the South Carolina DPH advised Dox News Digital.

“Water activities like swimming or diving in warm freshwater areas, such as lakes and rivers, may increase the risk of exposure and infection.”

A pediatric demise from a “brain-eating amoeba” has been reported in South Carolina, based on well being officers. (iStock)

Naegleria fowleri generally is a danger when swimming in recent water. The amoeba is most energetic within the months that the water temperature stays above 77F – July, August and September, the well being official stated.

Infection in people may be very uncommon, as that is the primary case of Naegleria fowleri in South Carolina since 2016. 

There isn’t any elevated danger to the general public, as Naegleria fowleri shouldn’t be transmissible individual to individual, based on the assertion. 

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“Historically, one infection does not increase the chances that another will occur in the same body of water.”

Fox News Digital beforehand spoke with Tammy Lundstrom, chief medical officer and infectious illness specialist for Trinity Health in Michigan, in regards to the dangers of an infection.

The affected person died after publicity to Naegleria fowleri, a uncommon amoeba that causes a life-threatening mind an infection known as main amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). (iStock)

“The risk of brain-eating amoeba is very low,” she stated. “Fewer than 10 people in the U.S. every year get infected — but unfortunately, most cases are fatal. There are only a handful of survivors of known cases.”

The demise charge for Naegleria fowleri exceeds 97%, per the CDC.

Warning indicators to acknowledge

The preliminary signs of PAM normally start about 5 days after publicity, however they are often observed sooner.

Early indicators normally embody headache, nausea, fever and/or vomiting, the CDC’s web site states.

As the an infection progresses, individuals might expertise confusion, stiff neck, disorientation, hallucinations, seizures and coma.

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“People usually start to feel ill one to 12 days after water exposure,” Lundstrom stated. “Early symptoms should prompt a medical evaluation, as they are also signs of bacterial meningitis.”

Death can happen anyplace between one and 18 days of an infection, at a median of 5 days.

Prevention of an infection

To forestall probably deadly infections, South Carolina well being officers stated it is vital to know the way and when publicity might be harmful.

“How exposure occurs is when water forcefully enters the nose,” the officers advised Fox News Digital. “To reduce the risk of infection from Naegleria fowleri, hold your nose shut, use nose clips, or keep your head above water, and avoid jumping or diving into fresh water.”

“Fewer than 10 people in the U.S. every year get infected — but unfortunately, most cases are fatal. There are only a handful of survivors of known cases.” (iStock)

Lundstrom reiterated that it is best to keep away from immersing your head within the water when swimming in summer season.

“Infection occurs when water harboring the amoeba goes up a person’s nose, usually during swimming,” she beforehand advised Fox News Digital. “It is not known why some people get infected and others, even swimming companions, do not.”

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Drinking contaminated water doesn’t current a danger, and the an infection doesn’t unfold from one individual to a different, Lundstrom added.

Because the amoeba is present in soil, the CDC additionally recommends avoiding stirring up the sediment on the backside of lakes, ponds and rivers.

Treatment of brain-eating amoebas

When a affected person has been identified with a brain-eating amoeba, remedy normally consists of quite a lot of antifungal drugs, in addition to antibiotics like rifampin and azithromycin, based on Lundstrom. 

Miltefosine, a more recent antifungal drug, has been proven to kill Nagleria fowleri in laboratory exams and was used to deal with some surviving sufferers, the CDC states on its web site.

Treatment normally consists of quite a lot of antifungal drugs, in addition to antibiotics like rifampin and azithromycin. (iStock)

“However, the effect of all of these drugs on actual infected people is unknown due to the high fatality rate,” Lundstrom famous.

Those who expertise sudden headache, fever, stiff neck or vomiting — particularly if they’ve just lately been swimming in heat freshwater — ought to search speedy medical consideration, the CDC recommends.

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Despite the an infection’s excessive fatality charge, Lundstrom emphasised the rarity of instances. 

“Millions of people enjoy swimming every summer, but only a few become infected,” she stated.