What Is Brain-Eating Amoeba That Killed 12-Year-Old Boy In US? Transmission, Prevention, Symptoms, Cure

Rare brain-eating amoeba killed South Carolina's 12-year-old boy after spending a joyful Fourth of July in a popualar lake infected by Naegleria Fowleri organism.

A 12-year-old boy, Jaysen Carr, who had spent a joyful Fourth of July swimming and riding on a boat in South Carolina's popular lake called Lake Murray, was tragically found dead two weeks later.

According to health officials, Jason died from a rare brain-eating infection called Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM) caused by an amoeba called Naegleria Fowleri. The microscopic organism which lives in warm freshwater lakes, rivers, and hot springs is believed to have entered his brain through his nose.

160 People Died In The US Due To Amoeba Infection In The Last 60 Years

Reportedly, the 12-year-old boy's parents had no idea that the brain-eating Amoeba even existed in the popular lake, which is just 24 km west of Columbia. It was only when a doctor found out about the cause of Carr's death, the parents were told that what seemed like a regular headache and nausea had taken a serious turn. This incident makes Carr one of about 160 people who have died from this brain-eating amoeba in the US in the last 60 years.

What Is Naegleria Fowleri?

Naegleria Fowleri, often known as brain-eating Amoeba, is a kind of one-celled microorganism that thrives in warm freshwater lakes, rivers, and hot springs, as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

And as the popular name suggests, although it is a very rare occurrence, Naegleria Fowleri attacks the brain of humans, often leading to death.

Is PAM Transmissible?

Healthy Children states that PAM is not transmissible, but Naegleria Fowleri has to enter another person's brain through the nose. However, since it is a free-living organism, it can be found in poorly maintained swimming pools, splash pads, and other recreational venues. The CDC clarifies that amoeba have been found in tap water.

How To Reduce Risk? Prevention

To help protect yourself against a Naegleria Fowleri infection:

1. Hold your nose or wear a nose clip if you are jumping or diving into fresh water.
2. Always keep your head above water in hot springs.
3. Don't dig in shallow water because the amoeba is more likely to live there.
4. Use distilled or boiled tap water when rinsing your sinuses or cleansing your nasal passages.

Signs And Symptoms Of PAM

Early symptoms of PAM are headache, fever, nausea, and vomiting. However, as PAM progresses, infected people experience stiff neck, confusion, lack of attention to people and surroundings, loss of balance, and hallucinations.

Cure Of PAM

According to the CDC, unfortunately, more than 97% of people with PAM have died from the infection. Thus making the treatments for the disease difficult to identify. The good news is that there is some evidence that certain drugs may be effective.