North Carolina Teen Critically Ill from Brain-Eating Amoeba

A teenager from central North Carolina is critically ill after contracting a rare and often fatal infection caused by a brain-eating amoeba, state health officials announced on August 27. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services confirmed the case of primary amebic meningoencephalitis, or PAM, caused by Naegleria fowleri, but stated the source of the exposure is under investigation and released no identifying information to protect the family's privacy. The family has since been identified through a fundraising effort. Monica Mendoza, the mother of 15-year-old Moises Ponce Mendoza, started a GoFundMe page on August 23 to help cover medical expenses.