North Carolina teenager dies from rare infection caused by brain-eating amoeba
Naegleria fowleri is commonly found in warm freshwater, and if it enters through the nose, can cause brain damage A North Carolina teenager has died after contracting a rare and often fatal brain-eating amoeba. The state’s health department (NCDHHS) confirmed the boy’s death on Monday, saying: “NCDHHS has been informed that the teen who developed a rare illness, caused by Naegleria fowleri died…
A North Carolina teenager, Moises Ponce Mendoza, passed away on August 31, 2026 after contracting a rare and fatal brain-eating amoeba infection. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) confirmed the boy's death, expressing condolences to his family and community. The disease, caused by Naegleria fowleri, a single-cell organism commonly found in warm freshwater, entered the teenager's body through the nose, causing inflammation, infection, and brain damage known as primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM).
The illness began with severe headaches and quickly worsened, leading Moises to be hospitalized in a coma. Despite the efforts of doctors, he died due to the rapid progression of the infection, which has a mortality rate of over 97%. NCDHHS advises swimmers to avoid entering warm freshwater with their heads submerged, use nose clips, or hold their noses shut, and to refrain from diving or jumping in the water.
Written by urgent.news from The Guardian US's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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