Durham Water Feature Identified as Likely Source of Fatal Brain-Eating Amoeba Infection in NC Teen

State health officials announced that tests of the fountain outside El Futuro in Durham confirmed the presence of Naegleria fowleri, a microscopic organism that causes primary amebic meningoencephalitis. The teenager, identified as Moises Ponce Mendoza by his mother on a GoFundMe page, died on Aug. 31, just days after officials say he was likely exposed by splashing water onto his face at the green space water feature.

Investigation and Findings at the Durham Facility

Interviews conducted with the patient’s family by public health officials identified several potential exposure sites across Durham County, Alamance County, and Orange County, including local ponds, a pool, and the outdoor water feature. Teams from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and NCDHHS, working alongside local health departments, tested these locations.

While the investigation did not conclusively determine the exact moment of exposure, testing linked the El Futuro water feature to the pathogen. The community organization closed the fountain on Aug. 28 after being contacted by county health officials, according to an email statement from El Futuro.

NC Department of Health and Human Services and Durham County Public Health informed El Futuro that testing identified the presence of Naegleria fowleri in a water feature at our green space, the organization said. Our hearts are broken for the young boy who lost his life and for his family. We are committed to supporting his family and our community through this devastating loss. We will continue to fully cooperate with public health officials. The water feature has been closed since we were first contacted by county officials.

Understanding Naegleria Fowleri and PAM

Naegleria fowleri is a free-living amoeba found commonly in warm freshwater environments such as lakes, rivers, and ponds. The organism thrives in hot weather and grows best at temperatures reaching 115 degrees Fahrenheit.

Infection occurs exclusively when water containing the amoeba is forced up the nose, allowing the organism to travel along the olfactory nerve to the brain. State health officials emphasize that swallowing contaminated water does not cause illness. Once symptoms of primary amebic meningoencephalitis begin, the disease progresses rapidly and is almost universally fatal, typically within five days.

Initial symptoms include a severe headache, fever, nausea, and vomiting. As the infection advances, patients may experience a stiff neck, seizures, and a descent into a coma.

The condition is exceptionally rare in the United States, with public health tracking showing fewer than 10 cases reported annually. A similar tragic case occurred earlier in August, when an eight-year-old girl in Louisiana, Lillian Smart, died from the amoeba after swimming in a lake.

Public Health Recommendations and Precautions

While eliminating Naegleria fowleri entirely from natural and man-made outdoor water environments is not possible, NCDHHS advises individuals to take specific precautions during warm weather months to reduce the risk of exposure.

Public health guidance to prevent water from entering the nasal passages includes:

• Holding the nose shut, wearing nose clips, or keeping the head entirely above the surface when swimming or playing in freshwater.
• Avoiding putting the head underwater in hot springs and thermal water features.
• Steering clear of jumping or diving into warm freshwater during periods of high ambient temperatures and low water levels.
• Refraining from disturbing sediment during water-related activities in shallow, warm freshwater areas.