The child dies from the brain -eating amoeba after swam in Lake South Carolina

A pediatric death of a “eaten brain amibe” was reported in South Carolina, according to health officials.

The Prisma Health Richland hospital in Columbia publicly confirmed the death on July 22, according to a press release from the Southern Carolina Public Health Department (DPH) sent to Fox News Digital.

The patient died after exposure to Naegleria Fowleri, a rare amoeba which causes a potentially fatal brain infection called Méningoencephalite Primary (PAM).

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“The July 2025 exhibition at the Naegleria Fowleri organization has probably occurred at Lake Murray, but we cannot be completely certain, because this organization occurs naturally and is present in many lakes, rivers and streams of hot water,” said the DPH of South Carolina to Dox News Digital.

“Aquatic activities such as swimming or diving in hot freshwater areas, such as lakes and rivers, can increase the risk of exposure and infection.”

A pediatric death of a “eaten brain amibe” was reported in South Carolina, according to health officials. (istock)

Naegleria Fowleri can be a risk when swimming in fresh water. The amibe is the most active in the months when the water temperature remains greater than 77F to July, August and September, said the Health of Health.

Infection in humans is very rare, because it is the first case of Naegleria Fowleri in South Carolina since 2016.

According to the press release, there is no increased risk for the public, because Naegleria Fowleri is not transmitted for the person, according to the press release.

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“Historically, an infection does not increase the chances that another occurs in the same body of water.”

Fox News Digital previously spoke with Tammy Lundstrom, chief doctor and specialist in infectious diseases for Trinity Health in Michigan, on the risk of infection.

The patient died after exposure to Naegleria Fowleri, a rare amoeba which causes a potentially fatal brain infection called Méningoencephalite Primary (PAM). (istock)

“The risk of a brain eating amibe is very low,” she said. “Less than 10 people in the United States each year are infected – but unfortunately, most of the cases are fatal. There are only one handful of known cases.”

The mortality rate for Naegleria Fowleri exceeds 97%, according to the CDC.

Warning signs to recognize

The initial PAM symptoms usually start about five days after exposure, but they can be noticed earlier.

The first signs generally Include headacheNausea, fever and / or vomiting, indicates the CDC website.

As the infection progresses, people can feel confusion, stiff neck, disorientation, hallucinations, convulsions and coma.

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“People usually start to feel sick one to 12 days after exposure to water,” said Lundstrom. “The first symptoms should cause a medical assessment because they are also signs of bacterial meningitis. “”

Death can occur between one and 18 days of infection, on average five days.

Infection prevention

To avoid potentially deadly infections, health officials from South Carolina said it was important to know how and when exposure could be dangerous.

“The way the exhibition occurs is when the water enters force between the nose,” said those responsible for Fox News Digital. “To reduce the risk of Naegleria Fowleri infection, hold your nose, use nose pliers or keep your head underwater and avoid jumping or diving in fresh water.”

“Less than 10 people in the United States each year are infected – but unfortunately, most of the cases are fatal. There are only one handful of known cases.” (istock)

Lundstrom reiterated that it is better to avoid diving into the water during swimming in summer.

“The infection occurs when the water hosting the amoeba rising a person’s nose, usually during swimming,” she said to Fox News Digital. “We do not know why some people are infected and others, even swimming companions, do not do so.”

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Contaminated water consumption has no risk and infection does not spread from one person to another, added Lundstrom.

Because the amibe is in the ground, the CDC also recommends avoiding stirring sediments at the bottom of lakes, ponds and rivers.

Brain eating amoeba treatment

When a patient has been diagnosed with a brain eating amoeba, the treatment generally includes a variety of antifungal drugsas well as antibiotics such as rifampine and azithromycin, according to Lundstrom.

Miltefosin, a new antifungal medication, has been shown to kill Nagleria Fowleri in laboratory tests and have been used to treat certain surviving patients, according to the CDC on its website.

Treatment generally includes a variety of antifungal drugs, as well as antibiotics such as rifampin and azithromycin. (istock)

“However, the effect of all these drugs on real infected people is unknown due to the high mortality rate,” noted Lundstrom.

Those who experience sudden headaches, fever, steep neck or vomiting – especially if they recently swam in hot freshwater – should look immediately medical careThe CDC recommends.

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Despite the high death rate of infection, Lundstrom highlighted the scarcity of cases.

“Millions of people like to swim each summer, but only a few are infected,” she said.