COLUMBIA, S.C. – In a tragic incident, 12-year-old Jaysen Carr died two weeks after celebrating the Fourth of July with swimming and boating activities at Lake Murray, a popular destination just 15 miles west of Columbia, South Carolina. He succumbed to an infection caused by the brain-eating amoeba, Naegleria fowleri, which entered his brain through his nasal passages.
The Carr family was blindsided by the diagnosis. In a devastating moment, a doctor informed them of the infection, which began with what appeared to be a regular headache and nausea and rapidly progressed into a serious condition. Jaysen fought the infection for a week but ultimately passed away on July 18, making him one of about 160 individuals who have died from this rare amoeba in the United States over the past 60 years.
As they mourn, Jaysen's parents expressed their shock at discovering that South Carolina, along with most states, lacks regulations mandating public reporting of deaths and infections related to Naegleria fowleri. No warnings were issued for Lake Murray, and the area wasn’t closed off for testing. They worry that without their advocacy, no one might have recognized the threat posed by the amoeba.
Jaysen was a spirited boy who excelled in sports, played multiple instruments in his middle school band, and was known for his friendliness and sociability. During the Fourth of July weekend, he enjoyed various activities, including swimming, fishing, and riding an inner tube on the water. His father, Clarence Carr, recalled Jaysen describing it as “the best Fourth of July I’ve ever had.”
However, a few days after the holiday, Jaysen began to experience severe headaches. Initially treated with pain relievers, his condition deteriorated quickly, leading to vomiting, disorientation, and lethargy. Somewhere during his water activities, the amoeba had been forced deep into his nasal passages, traveling through his olfactory nerve into his brain, leading to an infection known as primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). This infection is exceedingly rare, occurring in fewer than 10 cases annually in the U.S., with a staggering mortality rate exceeding 95% according to health officials.
Naegleria fowleri is typically found in warm freshwater environments and poses a risk primarily during the summer months, predominantly in southern states. Recent cases have also emerged in Maryland, Indiana, and Minnesota, drawing attention to its unpredictable nature. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 167 cases from 1962 to 2024, with only four known survivors. While boys seem to be more susceptible, researchers are still grappling with why infections remain so rare despite the amoeba's common presence.
The amoeba is known to inhabit hot springs, rivers, and, occasionally, tap water. Medical experts recommend using sterile water for nasal passages, particularly when using devices like neti pots, to avoid potential exposure. The safest method to eliminate the risk of Naegleria fowleri infection is to refrain from swimming in lakes and rivers and, if swimming is unavoidable, to keep the head above water, using nose clips or pinching the nose while diving.
As he sat with his son in the intensive care unit, Clarence Carr reflected on the other families enjoying the lake, contemplating the hidden dangers they faced. He expressed heartfelt concern for others, remarking on the unaware joy of families with children splashing in the water, potentially overlooking the serious risks of exposure to the amoeba.
