
NC Labor Day Swim: Beware Brain-Eating Amoeba and Flesh-Eating Bacteria in Water
As North Carolina heads to lakes and the coast this Labor Day weekend, health officials warn of two rare but potentially deadly water infections: Naegleria fowleri (brain-eating amoeba) in warm freshwater and Vibrio vulnificus (flesh-eating bacteria) in coastal waters. Although exposure is rare, Naegleria infections are fatal in most brain-penetrating cases (about 97%), and Vibrio infections can be life-threatening (about 1 in 5 deaths). Prevention includes keeping water out of the nose (nose clips, avoid submerging), avoiding stirring up sediment in shallow water, cooking shellfish to 145°F, and covering wounds when in salt or brackish water. North Carolina has reported a teen death tied to Naegleria fowleri and several Vibrio cases this year, underscoring the need for caution while enjoying the water.













