Teen in North Carolina dies after contracting brain-eating amoeba

A North Carolina teenager has died after contracting a rare brain infection caused by a microscopic amoeba commonly found in warm freshwater, the state's Department of Health and Human Services confirmed.

NCDHHS said the teen died on Aug. 31, four days after the department announced he was critically ill and receiving medical care for the infection.

“We extend our condolences to the family, friends and community impacted by this loss,” NCDHHS said in a statement to USA TODAY.

NCDHHS is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health departments to investigate all possible sources of the infection. State officials have not identified the deceased teenager. His mother, Monica Mendoza, identified him as Moises Ponce Mendoza in an online fundraiser, where she said her son became severely ill after developing intense headaches.

Mendoza said she took Moises to a Burlington hospital on Aug. 21 after his symptoms became severe. She said the family was sent home following a brief examination.

However, the teen's condition worsened, prompting Mendoza to take him to the University of North Carolina hospital's emergency department the following morning, she said, per the GoFundMe page.

Doctors there determined that he had an infection caused…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/