South Carolina Child Dies From Brain-Eating Amoeba Infection

A patient at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital-Midlands in South Carolina has died from a brain-eating amoeba, hospital officials confirmed this week. The rare and deadly infection is caused by the Naegleria fowleri organism and leads to a condition known as primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), which is often fatal.

Details of the Case

During a press briefing, Dr. Anna-Kathryn Burch, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at the hospital, reported that this is the only case of Naegleria fowleri infection detected in South Carolina so far this year. Further details about the patient or the circumstances surrounding the infection have not been disclosed.

“This is very devastating,” Dr. Burch noted, adding that in the United States, more than 97% of PAM cases since the 1960s have resulted in death.

How Naegleria Fowleri Infects

• Infection typically occurs when water containing the amoeba enters the nose, often during activities in warm freshwater such as lakes, rivers, and hot springs.

• The amoeba travels up the nasal passages to the brain, causing severe inflammation.

• It cannot infect by drinking contaminated water or through person-to-person contact.

Additional U.S. Cases This Year

Earlier this year, in Texas, a 71-year-old woman died after contracting the amoeba from tap water used in a nasal irrigation device. She experienced severe symptoms just four days after the rinse and died eight days after falling ill.

Reducing Risk

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises the following to reduce the risk of Naegleria fowleri infection:

• Hold your nose shut or use a nose clip when jumping or diving into warm freshwater bodies.

• Consider keeping your head above water in hot springs.

• Avoid using untreated tap water in nasal rinsing devices.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have health concerns or think you may have been exposed to Naegleria fowleri, consult a healthcare provider immediately.