NC Teen Likely Infected by Brain-Eating Amoeba From Community Center Water Feature

A 17-year-old North Carolina teen, Moises Ponce Mendoza, died after likely contracting Naegleria fowleri from a water feature at El Futuro, a Durham County community center. The feature tested positive for the amoeba and was closed. Naegleria fowleri infections are extremely rare but typically fatal, with symptoms such as severe headache, fever, nausea, stiff neck, seizures and coma appearing days after exposure. Health officials urge precautions to prevent water from entering the nose during freshwater activities and note the amoeba can be found in warm freshwater and even some tap water. Investigators and public health officials are continuing to review exposure details while Mendoza’s family identified him publicly.