Health authorities in the US state of South Carolina have confirmed the death of a child caused by the extremely rare and dangerous amoeba Naegleria fowleri, known as the ‘brain-eating amoeba’.

The child died on July 22 after being infected with the pathogen, which causes primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), an acute and almost always fatal brain infection. The confirmation was made by Prisma Health Richland Children’s Hospital in Columbia.

The likely site of infection is Lake Murray, but health experts emphasize that it cannot be stated with absolute certainty, since the organism occurs naturally in many warm freshwater bodies — lakes, rivers and streams.

“Activities such as swimming and diving in warm freshwater increase the risk of contact with the amoeba,” the department said.

Naegleria fowleri is most active in July, August, and September, when water temperatures exceed 77°F (25°C). Human infections are extremely rare—this is the first case in the state since 2016.

It is important to emphasize that there is no risk of human-to-human transmission, and a single case does not increase the likelihood of a new infection in the same body of water.

U.S. health officials are reminding people to be careful when diving or entering water through their noses, especially during the hot summer months. | BGNES