NC teen who died from brain-eating amoeba ‘most likely’ contracted infection in Durham: Officials
By Starletta Watson
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DURHAM, N.C. (WXII) — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has released more information surrounding the death of the teen who died in August from Naegleria fowleri, a microscopic amoeba found in warm freshwater.
According to health officials, interviews and tests on four different locations concluded that the teen “most likely” contracted the infection at a “community-based organization in Durham.” The facility, El Futuro, was mentioned in an NCDHHS report that detailed the source of the amoeba.
“While this investigation does not allow us to conclusively determine the location of exposure, the epidemiologic, laboratory, and environmental findings suggest that the El Futuro water feature was the most likely source,” the NCDHHS report said. “The lack of effective disinfection, visible algal growth, and detection of non-viable N. fowleri from the water feature support this conclusion.”
A photo from NCDHHS showed one location at EL Futuro where officials collected water samples to detect the amoeba. According to the report, the mental health nonprofit organization and clinic has a garden area that resembles a manmade creek with a pump and multiple fountains.
“The design of this creek was interactive with a play water pump and fire hydrant fountain,” the report said. “The center reported that the feature was cleaned by power washing and hand-fed chlorination. Algal growth was observed throughout the manmade creek with heavier growth at the top portion of the creek than the bottom. Organic material and debris were observed around the pump system and covered the filter.”
Results from the samples showed that “non-viable” Naegleria fowleri was detected in the place’s storage tank.
Officials said it was reported that the teen likely had contact with the water by splashing their face at the facility. “This is also consistent with information shared by family members indicating that the patient had contact with the water feature during the likely exposure period,” the report said.
Officials said Naegleria fowleri infections are not contracted by swallowing water but by amoebas entering the nasal passages. With water, officials said that typically happens from activities such as jumping, diving, rafting, water-skiing, or any type of cleansing of the nasal passage.
Officials said the teen was in the hospital critically ill on Thursday, Aug. 28, and died the following Monday. The identity of the teen has been withheld due to the family wishing to maintain privacy.
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