An investigation into a teen’s death from a “brain-eating” amoeba points to a water feature in Durham as the likely point of exposure.
While the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services cannot conclusively determine where the teen was exposed, a state investigation identified a water feature at El Futuro as “the most likely source” of the infection.
“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,” an NCDHHS report read.
El Futuro is a nonprofit mental health organization that supports Latino families. It has a clinic on Chapel Hill Road in Durham.
Investigators believe the teen splashed water on his face in the clinic’s outdoor green space on Aug. 13. He was admitted to the emergency room on Aug. 21 after experiencing severe headaches for two days. He returned to the emergency room on Aug. 22. NCDHHS was notified of a suspected case of Naegleria fowleri on Aug. 23.
The teen, whose name was not released, died on Aug. 31.
El Futuro released a statement Tuesday:
“NC Department of Health and Human Services and Durham County Public Health informed El Futuro that testing identified the presence of Naegleria fowleri in a water feature at our green space. Our hearts are broken for the young boy who lost his life and for his family. We are committed to supporting his family and our community through this devastating loss. We will continue to fully cooperate with public health officials. The water feature has been closed since we were first contacted by county officials.El Futuro
Durham County health officials closed the water feature on Aug. 28 for CDC testing. On Tuesday, “Keep Out” signs and orange traffic cones could be seen around the green space.
14-year-old Zamaya Strickland says she lives nearby and the green space always has visitors.
“Not even a few weeks ago. There’s kids in the little
pond, water fall every single day,” Strickland said.
NCDHHS inspected a manmade creek with a pump and several fountains at El Futuro in late August and found algal growth and organic material around the pump system. Testing detected non-viable Naegleria fowleri DNA in water from the fountain’s storage tank.
Durham County Public Health Director Dr. Rodney Jenkins made sure to point out that, as tragic as this case is, it is extremely rare. He explained the testing process.
© WRAL
“We went on site and required them to rope it off, shut it down, and everything, and they did,” Jenkins said. “They complied. For the most part, we’re doing all that we can to answer any questions they may have and to ensure that the public’s health is safeguarded.”
Naegleria fowleri is a microscopic, single-celled organism that can cause a severe brain infection. It lives naturally in warm freshwater, including ponds, lakes and rivers, as well as in soil.
NCDHHS said there were 167 Naegleria infections nationwide between 1962 and 2024. Infection can occur when water containing the amoeba enters the nose.
State public health veterinarian, Dr. Carl Williams, says in order to prevent exposure to a deadly amoeba, use nose clips.
“It doesn’t have to be that forceful. I think anything
that gets in your nose or your nasal passages and up into your nose can be a potential
risk,” Williams said.