NC Teen Critical in Rare Amoeba Case

A central NC teen is critically ill from a rare freshwater amoeba as officials urge precautions.

On August 27, 2026, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced that a teenager from central North Carolina is critically ill with an infection caused by Naegleria fowleri, a microscopic amoeba commonly found in warm freshwater. Officials did not release the teen's identity or specific location, citing the family's privacy. State Epidemiologist Dr. Zack Moore said, "Our hearts go out to this teen's family, friends and loved ones as they navigate this difficult time." The source of the exposure remains under investigation, but officials emphasized that the amoeba is naturally present in warm ponds, lakes, and rivers across the state and the broader United States during the warmer months.

The North Carolina case comes just days after an 8-year-old girl in Louisiana died from the same infection. According to Scripps News, Lillian Smart died after contracting Naegleria fowleri, likely while swimming in Lake Claiborne in north Louisiana. Her parents wrote on Facebook, "The injuries to her brain were too severe for her little body to recover from." Although fewer than 10 cases are typically reported each year in the United States, the infection progresses rapidly and carries a mortality rate exceeding 95 percent. WRAL reports that infectious disease specialist Dr. David Weber of UNC Health noted the disease is difficult to diagnose because early symptoms—fever, headache, nausea, and vomiting—are common to many illnesses.

Health officials stress that Naegleria fowleri does not cause illness if swallowed. Infection happens when contaminated water is forced up the nose—often during jumping, diving, or water-skiing—allowing the organism to travel to the brain and destroy tissue. The Asheville Citizen Times reports that the resulting infection, primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), cannot be contracted by drinking contaminated water and does not spread from person to person. The CDC notes that infections are most common during extended hot weather when water temperatures rise and water levels fall. WRAL adds that the amoeba thrives in warm water and can survive at temperatures as high as 115 degrees. It is not found in salt water or properly maintained, chlorinated pools.

According to Newsweek, CDC data show 173 U.S. cases of PAM linked to known exposure between 1937 and 2025, with Texas recording the most at 40, followed by Florida with 37 and Virginia with 18. The publication notes that most cases occurred in males aged 10 to 14, with July and August being the peak months. The Asheville Citizen Times reports that between 1962 and 2023, there were 164 reported cases in the U.S. with only four survivors. ABC27 reports that Dennis Kyle, head of the cellular biology department at the University of Georgia, said warming global temperatures could contribute to increased case counts in coming years, as the amoeba is more concentrated in freshwater with surface temperatures of 75 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.

The mortality rate for PAM is staggering—over 95 percent according to multiple outlets. WRAL reports that Dr. Weber said, "It does carry a very high mortality, meaning over 95%, because it's directly involving the brain, and we don't have very good therapies." The Asheville Citizen Times notes that symptoms usually begin with headache, fever, nausea, and vomiting before progressing to stiff neck, seizures, hallucinations, and coma, with death typically occurring within about five days of symptom onset. WRAL also shares the story of Debra Moffat, whose 6-year-old son Aven died in 2021 after contracting PAM. Moffat said, "You can ask anyone who has been affected by this amoeba, and we hate the word 'rare.' It's rare until it happens to you." She now believes swimming in freshwater is a risk not worth taking.

NCDHHS recommends several safety measures for those who still wish to swim in warm freshwater: hold your nose shut or use nose clips, keep your head above water, avoid putting your head underwater in hot springs, refrain from jumping or diving during periods of high water temperature and low water levels, and avoid digging in or stirring up sediment. ABC27 reports that early diagnosis improves survival chances, but few labs can diagnose the infection quickly enough. WRAL notes that Weber observed there is no widespread warning system for the amoeba, unlike monitoring for other waterborne hazards. Moffat said she remains hopeful about ongoing research to better understand the infection, while officials encourage continued vigilance and public awareness as summer activities persist into September.