SCDPH: Case of brain-eating amoeba confirmed in SC

Columbia, S.C. (WOLO)– The South Carolina Department of Public Health has confirmed a case of Naegleria fowleri in the state.

A spokesperson for the agency says the case was reported the week of July 7.

Officials say Naegleria fowleri is not required to be reported to DPH and the agency does not track infections from the amoeba and cannot provide information on individual cases including the person’s condition.

The spokesperson says recreational water users should assume that Naegleria fowleri is present in warm freshwater; however, the risk of infection is very low. There are less than 10 cases annually in the United States. While rare, Naegleria fowleri is nearly always fatal.