North Carolina Officials Link 17-Year-Old's Amoeba Death to Durham Water Feature
Updated
Updated · USA TODAY · Sep 15
North Carolina Officials Link 17-Year-Old's Amoeba Death to Durham Water Feature
3 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · Sep 15
Summary
State investigators said 17-year-old Moises Ponce Mendoza was most likely exposed to Naegleria fowleri at El Futuro's interactive water feature in Durham County, though they could not prove the source conclusively.
Aug. 13 contact with the feature — including splashing water on his face — emerged as the key exposure after family interviews also reviewed an apartment pool and two ponds.
Environmental testing found Naegleria fowleri DNA in the feature's storage tank, while inspectors reported weak disinfection, algal growth, and debris around the recirculating system; the site was closed Aug. 28 and remains shut.
Mendoza sought care Aug. 21 for a severe headache, was hospitalized the next day, tested positive Aug. 26, and died Aug. 31 from the rare brain infection.
The amoeba infects when contaminated warm freshwater enters the nose; the CDC says fewer than 10 U.S. cases are reported annually and more than 97% are fatal.