Latest news with #SouthCarolinaDepartmentofPublicHealth
CBS News
2 hours ago
- Health
- CBS News
Family of boy who died from brain-eating amoeba raise awareness: "We don't want his death to be in vain"
The family of 12-year-old Jaysen Carr is speaking out about the child's recent passing from a brain-eating amoeba. In a new conference Tuesday in Columbia, South Carolina, Carr's parents said they wanted to bring awareness to the rare but often fatal brain infection caused by the Naegleria fowleri organism. The infection, called primary amebic meningoencephalitis, or PAM, occurs when water is forced up the nose and is able to cross into the brain, which can happen during recreational freshwater activities. "This is a very tough situation," said Clarence Carr, Jaysen's father. "We're doing the best that we can, but just understand, we do not want this to happen to anyone else. We're here to raise public awareness and go from there." Jaysen's mother Ebony Carr, who was wearing her son's all-state champion headband, said the family is still in shock about what happened. "Had we known the risk of him swimming in that lake, nobody would have ever chosen to get in. So we definitely want the public to know that there are major risks swimming in Lake Murray and any other body of water," she said. "There needs to definitely be some awareness about it, and we don't want his death to be in vain because had we known, he wouldn't have been in it." Jaysen was the Carrs' middle child to a younger brother and older sister, his mother added. "He was a great big brother, great role model, and he also was very protective of his older sister as well. He truly had the gift of love, compassion, athleticism, and that big smile that everybody loved about him," she said. Jaysen died as a patient in Prisma Health Children's Hospital-Midlands, a South Carolina children's hospital. After the news of his death was announced last week, the South Carolina Department of Public Health said this was the first known case in the state since 2016. To reduce the risk of infection, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests holding your nose or wearing a nose clip if you are jumping or diving into freshwater or keeping your head above water in hot springs. Signs of infection include nausea, vomiting, fever, a severe headache, stiff neck, seizures, altered mental state and hallucinations.
India.com
3 days ago
- Health
- India.com
Child Dies After Brain-Eating Amoeba Attack - Know Early Signs Before It's Too Late
Another life has been claimed by the deadly Naegleria fowleri, also known as the brain-eating amoeba, after a child in South Carolina, US, was exposed while swimming in a local lake. The organism causes a rare infection called Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), which destroys brain tissue at an alarming rate. The South Carolina Department of Public Health confirmed the death on July 22, with doctors at Prisma Health Richland Hospital identifying the microscopic culprit. Found in warm freshwater, think lakes, rivers, and even improperly cleaned neti pots, Naegleria fowleri enters through the nose, travelling along the olfactory nerve to the brain. And while it doesn't 'eat brains' like in horror movies, the destruction it causes is no less terrifying. According to the CDC, over 150 cases have been reported in the US since 1962, with only four survivors. Don't Ignore These First Symptoms of Brain-Eating Amoeba The most dangerous aspect of PAM is that it masquerades as a regular viral infection. Symptoms can show up 1–12 days after exposure, often too late for effective treatment. Early Symptoms Include: 1. Severe headache (especially behind the eyes or forehead) 2. High fever 3. Nausea and vomiting 4. Neck stiffness 5. Confusion or changes in behavior 6. Loss of balance and sensitivity to light Once the infection progresses, it can lead to seizures, hallucinations, coma, and ultimately death. Survival rates remain tragically low even with early hospital intervention. How to Protect Yourself and Your Family Experts recommend these precautions to reduce risk: 1. Never dive or jump into warm freshwater bodies without a nose clip. 2. Avoid disturbing lakebed sediment where the amoeba may be lurking. 3. Don't use tap water in neti pots unless it's been boiled, distilled, or sterilised. 4. Avoid freshwater swimming during extremely hot weather when water is stagnant. Bottom Line While the brain-eating amoeba is rare, it's fatal in most cases and strikes without warning. If you've recently swum in freshwater and develop severe headaches or neurological symptoms, don't delay, seek medical attention immediately. Your life may depend on it. FAQ 1. What is the brain-eating amoeba? Naegleria fowleri is a rare amoeba that destroys brain tissue after entering through the nose. 2. How do people get infected? Infection usually occurs when contaminated warm freshwater enters the nose during swimming or diving. 3. What are the first symptoms? Severe headache, fever, nausea, stiff neck, and confusion are common early signs. 4. Is it treatable? Survival is extremely rare, but early detection and aggressive treatment may help. 5. How can I protect myself? Use nose clips, avoid disturbing sediment in warm lakes, and never use tap water in neti pots unless sterilised. (This article is meant for informational purposes only and must not be considered a substitute for advice provided by qualified medical professionals.)
New York Post
4 days ago
- Health
- New York Post
12-year-old boy dies from brain-eating amoeba after swimming in South Carolina lake
A 12-year-old boy died after he contracted a brain-eating amoeba while swimming in a South Carolina lake. Jaysen Carr came into contact with the deadly amoeba Naegleria fowleri at Lake Murray, a large man-made lake just outside of Columbia, his family announced Thursday. He died on died on July 18. 'Jaysen's family is grieving this unthinkable loss, but they are also grateful at the outpouring of love and support they have received from the community,' the family's attorney, Tyler Bailey, told WIS-TV in a statement. Advertisement 'The family has many questions about how and why Jaysen died and wants to do everything in their power to ensure this doesn't happen to another family.' 3 Jaysen Carr, 12, died after he became infected with a brain-eating amoeba, officials said. GoFundMe 3 Jaysen was infected while swimming in South Carolina's Lake Murray. Chris – Advertisement The South Carolina Department of Public Health emphasized Jaysen's death is not part of a wider public health emergency and stressed that while the single-cell organism is naturally occurring in most warm bodies of water, human infection is very rare, according to WIS-TV. This is the first case of Naegleria fowleri in the Palmetto State since 2016. Nationwide, there have only been 167 cases reported in the past 62 years — but only four of those survived, according to the CDC. The organism is dubbed the 'brain-eating amoeba' because it can infect the brain and destroy tissue, the agency said. Infections typically occur after swimming in a lake, river, or other fresh water during summer months when the water levels are low and temperatures are hot. Advertisement 3 Naegleria fowleri can lead to a primary amebic meningoencephalitis, which kills most people. Dr_Microbe – If water containing the amoeba goes up the nose and to the brain, it can cause an infection called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) — which typically leads to coma and death within five days, according to the CDC. Jaysen's funeral has been scheduled for Saturday. The Carr family has launched a GoFundMe to cover the unexpected costs of medical and funeral expenses. 'He was an incredible son, a devoted brother, and a true friend to everyone who knew him. His kind heart and bright spirit left a lasting impact on everyone he met,' organizers wrote on the fundraiser page.
USA Today
4 days ago
- 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
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
What happened to Jaysen Carr? 12-year-old who died of brain-eating amoeba identified
The family of 12-year-old Jaysen Carr has confirmed that the South Carolina middle schooler died on July 18 after contracting a rare and deadly brain-eating amoeba, known as Naegleria fowleri. Jaysen had been swimming in Lake Murray, located near Columbia, South Carolina, when he was exposed to the organism, reported local outlet WW10. Jaysen Carr contracted rare brain-eating amoeba in Lake Murray(GoFundMe) The report quoted the South Carolina Department of Public Health saying that Jaysen's case was confirmed the week of July 7. The department said that Naegleria fowleri, though naturally found in warm freshwater bodies like lakes and rivers, causes human infections extremely rarely. Also Read: What is Naegleria fowleri, brain-eating amoeba that killed Texas woman in 8 days? Know how to stay safe Jaysen Carr's death: What did family say? In a statement shared by the family's attorney, Tyler Bailey, the Carrs said they were grieving the 'unthinkable' loss but are grateful for the love and support they received, reported WWNY TV. According to the report, the Carrs shared that Jaysen was their cherished son, a caring brother, and a dear friend. They also added that the family wishes to ensure that no one else has to go through such a tragic experience. The Carrs were also thankful to the medical staff at Prisma Health Children's Hospital-Midland for treating Jaysen before his death. What is Naegleria fowleri? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) described Naegleria fowleri as a free-living amoeba found in warm freshwater. It causes primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM): a serious brain infection that is almost always fatal. Out of 167 reported US cases between 1962 and 2024, only four people have survived, a People report stated. In spite of the rarity, the case has raised public awareness and concern. Dr Linda Bell, South Carolina State Epidemiologist, told the publication that it is not a public health emergency. Dr Bell said recreational water activities are generally safe; this tragic event does not mean the water is dangerous for everyone, she added and noted that only around 10 cases occur annually across the United States. Also Read: Neurosurgeon explains how you can contract deadly brain eating amoeba: Symptoms include fever, headache, stiff neck Community support and fundraiser for the Carr A GoFundMe has been started for the family of Jaysen, who attended Columbia's Hand Middle School. With a target of $55,000, the fundraiser has raised around $36,000 as of the time of publication, the People report stated. The GoFundMe campaign reportedly stated that the Carr family was facing unforeseen expenses and that the community wishes to help ease their load. FAQs Q: What happened to Jaysen Carr? A: Jaysen Carr, 12, died after contracting a rare brain-eating amoeba, Naegleria fowleri, likely from swimming in Lake Murray, South Carolina. Q: What is Naegleria fowleri? A: It's a microscopic amoeba found in warm freshwater that can enter the body through the nose and cause a deadly brain infection called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). Q: Is this a public health emergency? A: No. Health officials stress that such infections are extremely rare and that recreational water activities remain generally safe. Q: How can people reduce the risk of infection? A: Avoid getting water up your nose in warm freshwater lakes or rivers. Use nose clips when diving and avoid stirring up sediment in shallow, warm waters.
