Durham Water Feature Identified as Likely Source of Fatal 'Brain-Eating' Amoeba Infection
A state investigation has identified a water feature at El Futuro, a nonprofit mental health organization in Durham, North Carolina, as the most likely source of a rare 'brain-eating' amoeba infection that resulted in the death of a teenager. While the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) cannot definitively confirm the exact location of exposure, epidemiological, laboratory, and environmental findings strongly suggest the water feature was the source. Investigators believe the teen splashed water on his face in the clinic's outdoor green space on August 13. He was admitted to the emergency room on August 21 with severe headaches and died on August 31. El Futuro has released a statement expressing sorrow and confirming the closure of the water feature since being contacted by county officials. Durham County health officials closed the water feature on August 28 for CDC testing, which detected non-viable Naegleria fowleri DNA in water from the fountain's storage tank. The NCDHHS i...
