A teenager in North Carolina has died after contracting a rare and frequently fatal brain-eating amoeba, Naegleria fowleri. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) confirmed the death on Monday, August 31, 2026, extending condolences to the family and community.
The NCDHHS had previously reported last Thursday that the boy was critically ill with an infection caused by the single-cell organism, which is commonly found in warm freshwater. The teenager's mother, Monica Mendoza, identified him as Moises Ponce Mendoza in an online fundraiser.
Naegleria fowleri is typically found in warm ponds, lakes, and rivers, but not in saltwater or properly maintained chlorinated pools. The amoeba is harmless if swallowed, but can be deadly if contaminated water enters the nose and reaches the brain, often through activities like diving or water-skiing.
The infection, known as primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), can cause symptoms including severe headaches, fever, nausea, and vomiting, progressing rapidly to stiff neck, seizures, and coma. The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) indicates that more than 97% of individuals who contract PAM die from the infection, with death often occurring within about five days.
Health officials advise precautions when in warm freshwater, such as keeping heads above water, using nose clips, or holding noses shut when entering the water. They also recommend avoiding diving or jumping in, submerging the head in hot springs, and disturbing sediment in shallow, warm freshwater.