Nevada boy dies from rare brain-eating amoeba after likely exposure at Lake Mead 

A Nevada boy died from a rare brain-eating amoeba after probably being exposed to it in Lake Mead earlier this month, the Southern Nevada Health District said on Wednesday in a press release. 

The amoeba, Naegleria fowleri, tends to live in warm bodies of water with temperatures above 80 degrees, such as lakes, rivers, and springs. It is usually most active during the summer. 

The amoeba can infect people by entering their body through their nose and making its way to the brain, which then causes primary amebic meningoencephalitis. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that the boy died from the amoeba. Health officials believe the boy might have been exposed while he was at the Arizona side of Lake Mead in early October. The boy started developing symptoms about a week after he was exposed to the bacteria. 

Naegleria fowleri infections are extremely rare and are almost always fatal. Since 1962, there have been 154 confirmed cases of primary amebic meningoencephalitis in the United States. Out of the 154 cases, only four patients survived. 

The symptoms include headaches, fever, nausea, and eventually lead to seizures and coma. Patients usually die within five days after the symptoms start. 

"My condolences go out to the family of this young man," Dr. Fermin Leguen, district health officer for SNHD, said in a statement. "While I want to reassure the public that this type of infection is an extremely rare occurrence, I know this brings no comfort to his family and friends at this time.

The CDC advises that swimmers can help protect themselves against the amoeba by holding their noses shut or using nose clips while swimming in warm fresh water.