Brain-eating Amoeba Kills North Carolina Man After Swimming At Water Park Lake

A man from North Carolina has died after swimming in a manmade lake at a water park in North Carolina.

Eddie Gray became sick after swimming at Fantasy Lake Water Park in Hope Mills, Cumberland County on July 12.

Health authorities said that he died from an amoeba that is naturally found in warm freshwater during the summer. Testing at the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed that the cause of infection was Naegleria fowleri, a single-celled organism also known as the brain-eating amoeba.

According to the CDC, Naegleria fowleri infects people when water contaminated with the amoeba enters the body through the nose. This usually happens when people go swimming or diving in warm freshwater places. The amoeba then travels to the brain, where it destroys brain tissues.

In rare instances, infection may occur when contaminated water from other sources such as tap water or inadequately chlorinated swimming pool water enters the nose, but health authorities said infection cannot happen by drinking contaminated water.

“Personal actions to reduce the risk of Naegleria fowleri infection should focus on limiting the amount of water going up the nose and lowering the chances that Naegleria fowleri may be in the water,” the CDC advised.

Naegleria fowleri causes the disease primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). Initial symptoms of PAM include headache, nausea, fever or vomiting. Later symptoms include confusion, stiff neck, loss of balance, lack of attention to people and surroundings, seizures and hallucinations.

The disease progresses rapidly and often causes death within about 5 days of infection.

Local health officials are now working with the water park to protect the public. State Epidemiologist Zack Moore reminded the public to be aware that the organism is present in warm freshwater lakes, rivers and hot springs across North Carolina, and urged everyone to be mindful when they swim or enjoy water sports.

The incident apparently did not deter other people from visiting the lake. John Santoro, a frequent visitor of the park, said that he and his family are cautious, but they would not allow such a rare incident to ruin their family fun.

"Sometimes we spend all day, sometimes just an hour. But we're here a few times a week. It's not a concern," Santoro said.

"If I was sick, maybe I would think about it, or if my immune system was compromised. Or I had a big open cut.”