North Carolina Teen Dies from Rare Brain-Eating Amoeba, Family Seeks Answers
A 17-year-old North Carolina teen, Moises Ponce Mendoza, died on Monday after contracting a rare brain-eating amoeba, leaving his family in Burlington seeking answers regarding the source of his infection. Health experts indicate that such cases are extremely rare, with fewer than 10 reported annually. Moises initially sought medical attention at Alamance Regional Medical Center but was sent home with medication. His condition rapidly deteriorated, prompting his family to take him to UNC Medical Center in Chapel Hill, where he later fell into a coma and died. His mother, Monica Mendoza, described her son's sudden decline, noting he began screaming and grabbing his head. The family recalls Moises as a soccer enthusiast who enjoyed swimming in various locations, including lakes and pools. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has confirmed that it has not yet identified the most likely source of exposure, and the investigation remains ongoing. 
