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A Californian boy who was on life support after contracting a brain-eating amoeba probably while swimming in a lake has died, his family recently told media. David Pruitt, 7, was airlifted to UC Davis Medical Center on July 30, according to the family’s fundraising page.
About a week later, the boy died. His aunt, Crystal Hayley, said he was diagnosed with primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a rare and devastating infection of the brain. The Associated Press reported that earlier this month, Tehama County health officials said a child under the age of 10 was likely infected in a lake in Tehama County, but did not disclose exactly where neither the child’s age.
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According to the Tehama County Health Services Agency, there have only been 10 cases of PAM reported in California since 1971.
PAM is caused by Naegleria fowleri, also known as the brain-eating amoeba, which is found in fresh water and warm soil. It usually infects people when contaminated water enters the body through the nose and travels to the brain where it causes PAM. Usually, most cases of PAM are fatal, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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It was not known exactly when David went swimming, as the symptoms of PAM usually start one to nine days later. Death usually occurs between one and 18 days after the onset of symptoms. The CDC notes that PAM is difficult to detect due to the rapid progression of the disease.
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