Brain-eating Amoeba Linked to Water Feature in NC Teen's Death
WHO:
WLOS - The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) identified a man-made water feature at El Futuro as the likely source of the Naegleria fowleri infection.
WRAL - The teen who died was identified as Moses Mendoza, a 17-year-old boy.
ABC11 - El Futuro is a nonprofit mental health organization that supports Latino families.
WHAT:
WLOS - The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) reported that the water feature remains closed to the public as of September 15.
ABC11 - The water feature was maintained through chlorine treatments and power washing, but it was noted that the feature was not effectively disinfected.
WLOS - A rare brain infection caused by Naegleria fowleri led to the death of a teen in August.
WRAL - The teen was admitted to the hospital on August 22 after experiencing severe headaches and died on August 31.
ABC11 - The water feature at El Futuro was closed on August 28 for CDC testing after the investigation began.
WHERE:
WLOS - The water feature is located at El Futuro in Durham County, North Carolina.
WRAL - El Futuro is situated on Chapel Hill Road in Durham.
WHEN:
WLOS - The teen was admitted to the hospital on August 22, and testing confirmed the Naegleria infection on August 26.
WRAL - NCDHHS was notified of a suspected case of Naegleria fowleri on August 23.
ABC11 - The water feature was closed on August 28.
WHY:
ABC11 - The Durham County Health Department stated that El Futuro never completed the required application, evaluation, and permitting process needed for the water feature.
WLOS - The investigation suggested that the water feature was the likely source due to a lack of effective disinfection and visible algal growth.
WRAL - The NCDHHS report indicated that epidemiologic, laboratory, and environmental findings pointed to the El Futuro water feature as the most likely source of exposure.
HOW:
WRAL - Testing conducted by NCDHHS found algal growth and organic material around the pump system of the water feature.
WLOS - The Naegleria fowleri amoeba can infect the brain if contaminated water enters through the nose.
WRAL - Testing detected non-viable Naegleria fowleri DNA in water from the fountain's storage tank at El Futuro.
ABC11 - The water feature used a recirculating water system with a pump and multiple fountains, which were maintained through chlorine treatments and power washing.
(UPDATED September 16, 2026 22:02 UTC)
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has announced that a local water feature remains closed to the public due to health concerns. Testing revealed algal growth and organic material around the pump system, and it was noted that despite chlorine treatments and power washing, the feature was not effectively disinfected. Additionally, the Durham County Health Department indicated that the organization responsible for the water feature, El Futuro, failed to complete the necessary application, evaluation, and permitting process.
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(UPDATED September 16, 2026 11:03 UTC)
A rare brain infection caused by Naegleria fowleri has been linked to a man-made water feature at El Futuro, a nonprofit mental health organization in Durham County, North Carolina, where a 17-year-old boy named Moses Mendoza tragically lost his life. The investigation revealed that the water feature, which was closed for testing after the infection was confirmed, likely lacked effective disinfection and showed visible algal growth, leading to the conclusion that it was the source of exposure. Testing found non-viable Naegleria fowleri DNA in the water from the fountain's storage tank, raising concerns about the safety of the recirculating water system used at the facility.