Boy, 14, dies of brain-eating amoeba infection after swimming in Minnesota lake

  • Hunter Boutain was declared brain dead Thursday morning at University of Minnesota Medical Center
  • Teen contracted rare infection called primary amebic meningoencephalitis
  • Disease is caused by an amoeba called Naegleria fowleri commonly found in warm freshwater lakes 
  • Boutain contracted PAM after swimming in Minnewaska Lake  

A 14-year-old boy who contracted a deadly brain infection caused by an amoeba after swimming in a Minnesota lake has died.

Hunter Boutain, of Alexandria, passed away on Thursday at University of Minnesota Medical Center, a family representative confirmed. 

The teen’s uncle, Bryan Boutain, released a statement to the press saying Hunter's condition worsened overnight and he was declared brain dead this morning.

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Hunter Boutain has succumbed to a rare brain infection known as primary amebic meningoencephalitis, which is caused by an amoeba
PAM is caused by an amoeba that is commonly found in freshwater lakes

Rest In Peace: Hunter Boutain (left and right) has succumbed to a rare brain infection known as primary amebic meningoencephalitis, which is caused by an amoeba 

Boutain contracted PAM after swimming in Minnewaska Lake in Pope County  

Boutain contracted PAM after swimming in Minnewaska Lake in Pope County  

Passed away:  Hunter passed away surrounded by his family on Thursday after worsening overnight 

Passed away:  Hunter passed away surrounded by his family on Thursday after worsening overnight 

'Hunter died surrounded by his family. It is a deeply emotional time for all us. We ask for privacy and prayers as we remember our beloved Hunter,' Mr Boutain said. 

The Minnesota Health Department said Boutain was swimming in Lake Minnewaska in Pope County when he contracted a rare brain infection known as primary amebic meningoencephalitis, or PAM.

The disease is caused by an amoeba called Naegleria fowleri, which is commonly found in warm freshwater lakes.

WHAT IS THE DEADLY AMOEBA?

Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis is as rare as it is horrific.

It is caused by an amoeba that implants itself in its victim's brains - usually when infected water shoots up their nose.

The amoeba grows in the sediment at the bottom of pools of warm, stagnant water and is most active at about 85F.

The water must reach a relatively high temperature for the parasites to reach numbers that threaten humans.

Health officials have recorded only 125 instances of the disease in the United States in the past 50 years.

Only two people have survived in the U.S. One other survivor was found in Mexico

Swimmers can reduce their risk by:

  • Keeping their heads above water
  • Using nose clips or holding the nose shut when the head is submerged
  • Avoid stirring up sediment in the shallows.

A swimmer can come down with the ailment if he or she inhales contaminated water through the nose.

The infection is often lethal but it cannot be transmitted from one person to another.

City officials briefly closed the beaches on the lake Tuesday night, but they have since reopened, reported Echo Press.

Initial symptoms of PAM, which include headache, fever, vomiting and stiff neck, appear about five days after exposure.

As the illness progresses, patients may become confused, suffer seizures and hallucinations. 

Most PAM cases end in death within five days.

Bryan Boutain wrote Wednesday on a CaringBridge page set up by the family that his 14-year-old nephew was unresponsive and breathing with the help of a respirator, reported Minneapolis Star Tribune. 

‘We are praying for a miracle for this rascal,’ the uncle wrote.

Experts say that in order to reduce the risk of contracting the infection, people swimming in freshwater areas should keep their head out of the water, use nose clips and avoid kicking up sediment.

Between 2001 and 2011, 40 cases of PAM were reported in the US, two of them in Minnesota.

A 7-year-old girl died from the infection after taking a dip in Lily Lake in 2010. Two years later, a 9-year-old boy succumbed to the illness after becoming exposed to the brain-eating amoeba in the same body of water.

The rare brain infection PAM is caused by an amoeba called Naegleria fowleri (pictured), which is commonly found in warm freshwater lakes

The rare brain infection PAM is caused by an amoeba called Naegleria fowleri (pictured), which is commonly found in warm freshwater lakes

 

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