Brain-eating amoeba kills Arkansas resident who likely got infected at a country club splash pad, officials say
CBSN
An Arkansas resident has died after being infected with an extremely rare brain-eating amoeba, and health officials have concluded they were likely exposed to it at a country's club's splash pad, authorities announced Thursday.
The Arkansas Department of Health announced the death from the Naegleria fowleri infection, a rare infection that destroys brain tissue, causing brain swelling and, in certain cases, death. The department didn't release details on the age of the person who died. The department said there is no ongoing risk to the public from the exposure.
The department said it concluded that the person who died was likely exposed at the Country Club of Little Rock's splash pad. The department said it sent multiple samples from the country club's pool and splash pad to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC confirmed one splash pad sample had viable Naegleria fowleri, the department said.