In July, 12-year-old Jaysen Carr died after contracting a brain-eating amoeba at Lake Murray, state health officials confirmed. Jaysen became ill after swimming in Lake Murray, a popular lake in Midland, South Carolina.
Westwood Biology teacher, Imani Hanley, explained what the amoeba is and where it is located. “It’s a unicellular amoeba that focuses on brain tissue. The amoeba can be found in warm freshwater, like ponds, lakes, and rivers,” she stated
The amoeba Naegleria fowleri is extremely rare, but always fatal. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), there are only a few infections reported in the U.S. each year, mostly occurring in the summer, in warm freshwater.
The South Carolina Department of Public Health and Environmental Services (DHEC) emphasized that the disease cannot be spread from person to person. The infection cannot cause damage when swallowed, but water entering the nose can lead to infection.
Anatomy teacher at Westwood, Linda Mobley, said, “Cases like this highlight how vulnerable the brain is and how quickly the parasite can take over.” “The amoeba progresses rapidly over 1-18 days; it advances so fast that doctors aren’t able to keep people with the infection alive long enough to find treatment.”
Mobley also explains that “There isn’t a particular treatment for the infection. Although some drugs may be effective, they won’t stop the infection from spreading.”
Officials urge swimmers to take precautions and use proper water safety. Ways people can prevent infection include keeping their head above water, using nose clips, and avoiding warm freshwater during heatwaves, as this is the environment where the amoeba can thrive.
The loss of 12-year-old Jaysen Carr is a heartbreaking reminder of the risks associated with natural bodies of water, even when such incidents are rare. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to Jaysen’s family and friends during this difficult time. Officials continue to emphasize the importance of water safety to help prevent future tragedies.
