COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH) — Prisma Health officials have confirmed the death of one person in the Midlands due to an infection from the Naegleria fowleri amoeba, commonly known as a brain-eating amoeba.

The person contracted the infection after swimming in a local body of freshwater, according to the Department of Public Health (DPH).

Officials added that the exposure is presumed to have occurred at Lake Murray.

This case was initially reported by DPH in a statement:

The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) was made aware of one case of Naegleria fowleri in our state the week of July 7. Naegleria fowleri is not required to be reported to DPH. The agency does not track infections from the amoeba and does not provide information about or comment on individual cases, including the person's condition.

It's hard to make the decision of taking your kid out of the water when it's such a big part of South Carolina summers. For most people who come in contact with this type of amoeba, it causes no harm whatsoever. Dr. Anna Kathryn Burch, a pediatric infectious disease physician at Prisma Health, said

The amoeba naturally occurs in fresh water like rivers, lakes, and ponds in the Southeast when temperatures rise and water levels drop. The infection, primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), happens when the amoeba enters the body through the nose and travels to the brain. The CDC states early symptoms include:

• headache
• fever
• nausea
• vomiting

CDC also states that PAM progresses quickly, and as it progresses has the following symptoms:

• stiff neck
• confusion
• lack of attention to people and surroundings
• loss of balance
• hallucinations

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that between 1962 and 2024, there have been only 167 cases of Naegleria fowleri in the U.S. However, the infection is not required to be reported to South Carolina's DPH, which does not track or comment on individual cases.

Jeremy Lewis, who lost his 7-year-old son Kyle to the same infection nearly 15 years ago, has been spreading awareness about the infection through the Kyle Lewis Amoeba Awareness Foundation. He said, "Losing a child is awful but when you lose them this way, it is horrible."

If you listen to all of the professionals, it's rare. It may be rare to you, but it's not for me. It got my kid, and I can tell you 37 other kids that have gotten it," he added.

Dr. Burch noted that the majority of cases in the U.S. are fatal, with more than 97% resulting in death since the 1960s. She emphasized that Naegleria fowleri is not reportable in South Carolina.

Prisma Health officials warn that the risk of encountering the amoeba increases with higher temperatures.

The amoeba has also been found in inadequately chlorinated pools, splash pads, hoses, and tap water.

To reduce risk, it is recommended to hold your nose or wear a nose clip when jumping into water, avoid digging in shallow water, and use distilled or boiled water for nasal cleansing.