A North Carolina teenager is in critical condition after contracting a rare brain‑eating amoeba, state health officials said.
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What we know:
Public health authorities say the teen was infected with Naegleria fowleri, a single‑celled organism commonly found in warm freshwater. The amoeba can trigger sudden, severe headaches, fever and vomiting before rapidly progressing to a stiff neck, seizures and coma.
Once symptoms begin, the disease advances quickly, and most patients die within five days.
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Naegleria fowleri. (Photo by: CDC/IMAGE POINT FR/BSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Dig deeper:
State investigators are still working to determine how the teen was exposed. Naegleria fowleri typically lives in warm freshwater such as ponds, lakes and rivers, often collecting in mound‑like pockets of sediment along the bottom. Infections occur when contaminated water is forced up the nose during activities like jumping or diving, allowing the amoeba to travel to the brain.
What they're saying:
"Our hearts go out to this teen’s family, friends and loved ones as they navigate this difficult time," said State Epidemiologist Zack Moore, M.D. "While these infections are very rare, this is an important reminder that this amoeba is present in our state and across the U.S. There are steps people can take to reduce their risk while swimming during the warmer months."
Experts say the amoeba flourishes in higher water temperatures and lower water levels brought on by prolonged heat. Infections remain rare, but there is no way to eliminate the organism from natural freshwater environments.
What is the brain-eating amoeba?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the amoeba enters the brain through the olfactory nerve in the nose. Once it's inside, the amoeba causes an infection called primary amebic meningoencephalitis.
The amoeba is dangerous in extremely warm water, like lakes and rivers in southern parts of the U.S. and other areas with hot, sometimes dry summers.
Symptoms can start with headache and nausea. When the pain becomes severe, it is almost always too late to save the infected individual.
Big picture view:
The CDC explains in a report that of the 167 cases reported in the U.S. between 1962 and 2024, only four people have survived, and most deaths occur within five days of getting sick.
The Source: This story was written with information provided by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. This story was reported from Orlando.