OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Federal health officials have confirmed that a Nebraska child died from a rare infection caused by a brain-eating amoeba.
The Douglas County Department of Health in Omaha said Friday that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the presence of the naegleria fowleri amoeba in the child.
Authorities have not released the child’s name.
Health officials believe the child became infected Sunday while swimming in the Elkhorn River near Omaha.
It is the second death in the Midwest this summer from primary amebic meningoencephalitis, an infection caused by the amoeba that is almost always fatal.
Health officials say a Missouri resident died of the infection in July after swimming in a southwestern Iowa lake.
Original Story
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Health officials say a child likely died from a rare infection caused by a brain-eating amoeba after swimming in the Elkhorn River in eastern Nebraska on Sunday.
If confirmed, it would be the second death in the Midwest this summer from primary amebic meningoencephalitis, a usually fatal infection caused by the naegleria fowleri amoeba.
The Douglas County Department of Health reported the child’s death and the probable cause Wednesday.
Researchers believe climate change may be contributing to an increase in infections since 2000.
Officials have not identified the child who died.
Health officials say a Missouri resident died in July after likely ingesting the amoeba at a southwestern Iowa lake.
