Daijiworld Media Network - Columbia

Columbia, Jul 26: In a tragic incident that has reignited health concerns, a child in South Carolina has died after contracting Naegleria fowleri, a rare but deadly brain-eating amoeba found in warm freshwater bodies such as lakes and rivers.

The child reportedly came into contact with the organism while swimming in a local lake amid the sweltering summer heat. The infection, known as Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), was confirmed by doctors at Prisma Health Richland Hospital, with the South Carolina Department of Public Health acknowledging the death on July 22.

Though often dubbed a "brain-eating amoeba," Naegleria fowleri doesn’t eat brains in the zombie sense. It enters through the nose, usually when water is forced up during diving or swimming, and travels up the olfactory nerve to the brain, destroying tissue rapidly.

The infection is almost always fatal, with only four survivors out of over 150 cases reported in the US since 1962, according to the CDC.

Health experts warn that early symptoms mimic those of common viral illnesses, such as:

• Severe headache
• Fever
• Nausea or vomiting
• Stiff neck
• Sensitivity to light
• Confusion or behavioral changes

These symptoms typically appear 1 to 12 days after exposure. If untreated, the infection can quickly lead to hallucinations, seizures, and coma.

Precautionary measures include avoiding diving in warm lakes, using nose clips, and never using tap water for nasal rinses unless boiled or sterilized.

Authorities urge the public to remain cautious during the summer. If symptoms develop after swimming in warm freshwater, seek immediate medical help.