A North Carolina teenager died from a rare brain-eating amoeba infection after being exposed to Naegleria fowleri through a contaminated garden water feature at a Durham County community center, according to an investigation report released Sept. 15, 2026, by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
Investigation Findings at El Futuro
State health officials and investigators traced the exposure of 17-year-old Moises Ponce Mendoza to El Futuro, a community-based mental health care center in Durham County. According to the state health report, family interviews revealed that the teen visited the center on Aug. 13 and came into contact with a garden water feature, which included splashing water on his face.
The Durham County Health Department advised El Futuro to close the water feature on Aug. 28, and the system was subsequently drained. Testing conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention later detected non-viable Naegleria fowleri DNA in the water from the fountain storage tank. Investigators reported finding algal growth throughout the manmade creek, along with organic material and debris surrounding the pump system and covering the filter.
“Our hearts are broken for the young boy who lost his life and for his family,” El Futuro said in a public statement, adding that the organization cooperated fully with public health officials. While investigators also examined visits to an apartment complex pool and potential pond locations, state health officials concluded that the community center’s water feature was the most likely source of the infection due to a lack of effective disinfection and visible algal growth.
Clinical Timeline and Medical Progression
Mendoza first sought care at an emergency room on Aug. 21 after experiencing a severe headache for two days, according to the state health department report. He returned the following day as his condition deteriorated and was admitted to the hospital, where doctors immediately suspected a Naegleria fowleri infection based on his neurological presentation and reported freshwater exposure.
Did you know? Naegleria fowleri does not cause illness when swallowed. Infection occurs when water containing the microscopic amoeba enters the nose, allowing the organism to travel to the brain and cause primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a disease with a mortality rate exceeding 97% according to the CDC.
Laboratory testing confirmed the diagnosis on Aug. 26. Mendoza’s mother, Monica Mendoza, shared on a GoFundMe page that her son was placed in a coma as medical teams worked to treat the infection. Despite treatment, Mendoza died on Aug. 31.
Broader Context of Naegleria Fowleri Infections
Infections caused by Naegleria fowleri are extremely rare in the United States. According to state health data, only 167 cases were reported nationally between 1962 and 2024, with fewer than 10 cases documented annually. The amoeba thrives in warm freshwater environments, such as lakes, ponds, and rivers, and multiplies most rapidly during extended periods of hot weather when water temperatures rise.
This incident follows the death of an 8-year-old girl in Louisiana, who died on Aug. 22 after contracting a Naegleria fowleri infection while swimming in a Louisiana lake, according to state health officials. Public health agencies advise the public to prevent water from entering the nose during freshwater activities to reduce the risk of primary amebic meningoencephalitis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Naegleria fowleri?
Naegleria fowleri is a free-living, single-celled microscopic amoeba commonly known as a “brain-eating amoeba” that lives in soil and warm freshwater environments.
How do people contract primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM)?
According to the CDC, infection occurs when contaminated water enters the nose. It cannot be contracted by swallowing contaminated water and does not spread from person to person.
What are the early symptoms of the infection?
Symptoms typically begin about five days after exposure—ranging from one to 12 days—and include a severe headache, fever, nausea, and vomiting, which can rapidly progress to seizures and coma.
How lethal is a Naegleria fowleri infection?
The resulting disease, primary amebic meningoencephalitis, is fatal in more than 97% of cases, with patients usually dying within five days of symptom onset.
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