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The Sun
29-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Boy, 12, dies from brain-eating parasite that got up his nose after swimming in lake
A TWELVE-year-old boy passed away after being infected by a brain-eating parasite while swimming in a lake. Jaysen Carr died on July 18 after swimming in Lake Murray, a large reservoir in the US state of South Carolina. 3 He contracted an amoeba called Naegleria fowleri while swimming in the freshwater. Jaysen's death was announced via Facebook post by representatives at Bailey Law Firm acting as the Carr family's legal team. It was later confirmed by news outlets who spoke to Jaysen's family. "Jaysen was a bright and beloved student at Hand Middle School," the Facebook post read. "His loss is unimaginable, and our hearts are with his family as they grieve their son and search for answers. "The Carr family is incredibly grateful for the outpouring of love from the community and for the dedicated care provided by the doctors and nurses at Prisma Health Children's Hospital in the Midlands," it added. Doctors from the hospital held a press briefing following the youngster's death, as reported by the New York Times. Dr Anna-Kathryn Burch said Naegleria fowleri is "ubiquitous to any fresh water in the state of South Carolina" and common throughout the Southeastern US. The risk of exposure increases as temperatures rise and water levels drop in the summer. The organisms are referred to as "brain-eating" as they enter the body through the nose and destroy brain tissue. Mysterious case of tummy ache ends with doctor pulling giant wriggling snake parasite out of woman's brain If water containing the amoeba goes up the nose and to the brain, it can cause an infection called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). Fewer than 10 people a year in the US get PAM. Infections are rare but almost always fatal, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Between 1962 and 2024, 167 cases were reported in the US - just four people survived. 3 Early signs of an infection can include headache, fever, nausea, and vomiting. PAM progresses rapidly, killing patients within one and 18 days after symptoms first strike. Judi Gatson, a news anchor for WIS News, wrote in a Facebook post: "Mr and Mrs Carr are speaking out to warn others about the potential dangers of bacteria in freshwater lakes in South Carolina and with the hope that no other family suffers such an unthinkable tragedy. She said 12-year-old Jaysen "loved all sports and excelled at baseball, basketball and football". "He also loved cars, playing video games and hanging out with friends and family," the anchor added. "He was known to tell 'Dad' jokes, enjoyed sunsets, cooking and most of all spreading joy with his big smile and even bigger heart." Naegleria fowleri lurks in freshwater rivers, lakes and ponds as well as tap water in rare cases, though most people who come into contact with it won't get infected. Although rare, the amoeba has caused other deaths in recent years. Most recently, a previously healthy 71-year-old woman from Texas died after contracting the brain-eating infection - believed to have been caused by tap water. It was suggested she contracted it after using tap water from an RV system at a campground to rinse out her sinuses. CDC and Texas investigators said the woman developed severe neurological symptoms, including fever, headache, and an altered mental state, within four days of using a nasal irrigation device filled with tap water. Sinus rinsing is popular for relieving sinus congestion and other respiratory issues. It's generally recommended to use boiled and cooled water for sinus rinsing, along with distilled or sterile water, to avoid infection. While it's most commonly found in warmer climates, experts last year warned that Naegleria fowleri may soon become a worry to Brits as temperatures climb due to climate change.
USA Today
25-07-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Family of boy who died from brain-eating amoeba speaks out: 'Unimaginable'
The family of a 12-year-old boy from South Carolina is grieving after he died from a brain-eating amoeba, according to a statement from their lawyer. Jaysen Carr died on July 18 after developing an infection from the brain-eating amoeba Naegleria fowleri, the statement shared by Bailey Law Firm said. The South Carolina Department of Public Health confirmed in a statement to USA TODAY on July 23 that a person died after being exposed to the amoeba earlier in July. Prisma Health Children's Hospital Midlands confirmed on July 22 that the person was treated at the facility but did not publicly identify the person. "The Carr family is incredibly grateful for the outpouring of love from the community and for the dedicated care provided by the doctors and nurses at Prisma Health Children's Hospital in the Midlands," the statement said. Brain-eating amoeba victim was 'bright and beloved' middle schooler The statement from the Carr family's lawyer said Jaysen was a "bright and beloved" middle school student. "His loss is unimaginable, and our hearts are with his family as they grieve their son and search for answers," the statement said. The legal team said it will "stand beside this family not only to seek the truth, but to help ensure no other family endures a loss like this." "We ask that you keep the Carrs in your thoughts and prayers and respect their privacy as they prepare to lay Jaysen to rest," Bailey Law Firm's statement said. Brain-eating amoeba: Person dies from Naegleria fowleri in South Carolina, officials say Family says boy was infected with brain-eating amoeba at SC lake The family's statement also said Jaysen Carr developed the infection after swimming at Lake Murray outside Columbia. The SCDPH said it also believed the exposure occurred at the lake. "We cannot be completely certain as this organism occurs naturally and is present in many warm water lakes, rivers and streams," the agency said. What is Naegleria fowleri? Why is it known as a brain-eating amoeba? Naegleria fowleri is a type of amoeba that can cause a rare but nearly always fatal brain infection. It thrives in warm freshwater lakes, rivers and hot springs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The amoeba is often referred to as brain-eating because it can cause an infection called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) that destroys brain tissue. Most people who have been in bodies of waters have been exposed to the amoeba, but contact alone is not harmful, Dr. Anna Kathryn Burch, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Prisma Health Children's Hospital Midlands, said during a news conference on July 22. "Where it can cause an issue is if forceful water gets up the nose and is able to cross from the nose into the brain," Burch said, adding that a PAM infection causes the brain to swell. To protect against a possible infection, the CDC recommends holding or wearing a nose clip when jumping into fresh water, keeping the head above water in hot springs and using distilled or boiled tap water when rinsing sinuses. Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lawsuit filed against South Carolina's race, gender curriculum restrictions
South Carolina schools are facing a lawsuit over restrictions on what can be taught about racial inequality in K-12 public schools. The state's Budget Proviso 1.79 states that no state funding should go toward certain "concepts" touching on race or sex -- including unconscious racism, sexism or other form of oppression. Among the restrictions, the budget prohibits anything that causes "an individual should feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress on account of his race or sex" or that "fault, blame, or bias should be assigned to a race or sex, or to members of a race or sex because of their race or sex." It also restricts "teaching certain literary or historical concepts" of "historical or past discriminatory policies." The language mirrors other "divisive concept" or anti-"critical race theory" legislation seen in more than a dozen states nationwide, which have impacted the lessons, discussions, books, and programs schools and students can engage in. The Legal Defense Fund and Tyler Bailey of Bailey Law Firm, LLC, filed a federal civil rights lawsuit on behalf of South Carolina educators, students, the local NAACP conference and author Dr. Ibram X. Kendi to challenge these restrictions. Plaintiffs argue that the restrictions are a form of "censorship" in a state with a deep-rooted racial history including the 1739 Stono slave rebellion, the racially motivated Mother Emanuel AME Church shooting in 2015, and the state's role in the Confederacy. Plaintiffs say the vague guidelines violate the free speech of teachers and students, infringing on "accurate, comprehensive education on race-related issues" for South Carolina students. "We must provide an education that prepares them as citizens to read widely, think critically, and understand that complex issues have multiple, varied perspectives," said plaintiff Ayanna Mayes, a high school librarian, in a written statement. She claimed, "The State of South Carolina is muzzling and tying the hands of the brilliant, highly trained educators it has certified and dis-serving its bright, talented students." In a statement to the South Carolina Daily Gazette, a spokesperson for the state's education department defended the restrictions and argued that the state is dedicated to teaching the good and bad of history. MORE: Back-to-school plans impacted by culture wars nationwide "This meritless lawsuit does not diminish our dedication, nor does it identify any shortcomings or legal defects," a spokesperson told the outlet in a statement. "The South Carolina Department of Education will continue to seek meaningful opportunities to build bridges across divisions, honor the richness of our shared history, and teach it with integrity, all while ensuring full compliance with state law." The state Department of Education, Gov. Henry McMaster, and the Lexington County School District Three, all named in the lawsuit, have not yet responded to ABC News' requests for comment. School District Five of Lexington & Richland Counties told ABC News it cannot comment on pending litigation. A student plaintiff in the case said in a written statement that South Carolina's decision to eliminate Advanced Placement credit for its African American Studies course among the other restrictions has impacted her educational trajectory. "Understanding this history is crucial for my future medical career, as it will help me better diagnose, treat, and care for patients of color," said the student plaintiff in a written statement. "Without this knowledge, healthcare disparities can worsen, leading to inadequate treatment and even death." Plaintiff Mary Wood, an AP English teacher, said the budget proviso prevents "citizens armed with truth and empathy, who think critically and challenge oppressive systems which benefit few and harm many." In full, the budget proviso states: "(1) one race or sex is inherently superior to another race or sex; (2) an individual, by virtue of his race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously; "(3) an individual should be discriminated against or receive adverse treatment solely or partly because of his race or sex; "(4) an individual's moral standing or worth is necessarily determined by his race or sex; "(5) an individual, by virtue of his race or sex, bears responsibility for actions committed in the past by other members of the same race or sex; "(6) an individual should feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress on account of his race or sex; "(7) meritocracy or traits such as a hard work ethic are racist or sexist, or were created by members of a particular race to oppress members of another race; and "(8) fault, blame, or bias should be assigned to a race or sex, or to members of a race or sex because of their race or sex. "Nothing contained herein shall be construed as prohibiting any professional development training for teachers related to issues of addressing unconscious bias within the context of teaching certain literary or historical concepts or issues related to the impacts of historical or past discriminatory policies." Lawsuit filed against South Carolina's race, gender curriculum restrictions originally appeared on
