Rare Brain-Eating Amoeba Claims North Carolina Teen

A North Carolina teenager died after contracting Naegleria fowleri, a rare brain-eating amoeba found in warm freshwater; the death follows the August death of an 8-year-old Louisiana girl from the same infection. Health officials say infections are extremely rare (fewer than 10 US cases per year) and almost always fatal, with 167 US cases recorded from 1962–2024 and only four survivors. The NC DHHS is coordinating with the CDC to investigate possible sources. Preventive steps include keeping water out of the nose when swimming, avoiding head submersion, and using distilled or boiled water for nasal rinsing.