A North Carolina teenager has died from an infection caused by Naegleria fowleri, a rare brain-eating amoeba found in lakes, rivers, and other freshwater sources. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services confirmed the case, extending condolences to the family.
The single-celled organism can cause a fatal brain infection called primary amebic meningoencephalitis if it enters the nose and travels to the brain. The infection typically leads to coma and death within five days. Symptoms can include severe headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, seizures, and coma.
Moises Ponce Mendoza, identified by his family, died on Monday after contracting the amoeba. His mother, Monica Mendoza, wrote on a GoFundMe fundraiser that her son initially experienced severe headaches, which prompted a hospital visit. She stated that the condition worsened rapidly, leading to him being rushed to the University of North Carolina hospital's emergency room, where doctors identified the infection.
"From that moment on, our lives changed completely. Moises is in a coma; the doctors are doing everything possible to fight this illness and give him a chance to pull through," his mother wrote in a statement translated from Spanish, seeking funds for medical expenses.
Naegleria fowleri infections are uncommon, with typically fewer than 10 cases reported annually in the United States. Infections often occur during warmer months when water levels are lower and temperatures are higher, primarily from swimming in freshwater bodies. The source of this particular case is under investigation.