“Georgia High School Senior Megan Ebenroth Dies from Rare Brain-Eating Amoeba”

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A 17-year-old high school senior from Georgia, Megan Ebenroth, has died from a rare “brain-eating amoeba” infection. Ebenroth went swimming in a lake with friends before seeking treatment for a migraine, which eventually led to her hospitalization and death. The Georgia Department of Health has issued a warning about the infection, caused by the Naegleria fowleri amoeba, which is found in warm freshwater lakes and destroys brain tissue. Symptoms include severe headache, fever, nausea, stiff neck, seizures, and coma. Ebenroth’s cause of death was ruled as a brain infection. Greg Norman reported

A teenager from Georgia has passed away after contracting an uncommon “brain-eating amoeba,” according to the state’s Department of Health. The 17-year-old, identified as Megan Ebenroth, died on July 22. Megan, a high school senior and an excellent student with dreams of attending the University of Georgia, went swimming in a lake with friends near her home in McDuffie County in early July. What started as treatment for a migraine quickly escalated into an emergency room visit, hospitalization, and intubation. The Georgia Department of Health has issued a press release warning the public about the rare “Naegleria fowleri infection,” which destroys brain tissue and typically leads to death. Naegleria fowleri is an amoeba found in warm, freshwater bodies such as lakes and rivers. It can cause a brain infection called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) when water containing the amoeba enters the nose. The risk of infection is low, but individuals entering warm freshwater should be cautious. Megan’s cause of death was determined to be a brain infection. She was highly involved in her school, serving as president of the Beta Club and vice president of the Spanish Club, and was a member of the tennis team. Thomson High School, where Megan attended, expressed deep sadness and announced a memorial event in her honor..