The parents of a 13-year-old boy who died from carnivorous bacteria hope their son's story will serve as a warning to other families.
Tanner Lake Wall of Tent died in early August after contracting a brain-eating amoeba while on a camping trip in North Florida, the 13-year-old's relatives said.
“He was an active child. — recalls with tears in her eyes his mother, Alicia Whitehill — He loved nature, hunting and fishing.
“Everyone loved spending time with him,” adds Tanner's dad, Tyler.
Wall became ill just 2 days after arriving. He was nauseous, vomited, the child suffered from headaches and swelling of the neck.
When Tanner's parents took the boy to the hospital for the first time, he was diagnosed with streptococcal infection, but the elders were convinced that the doctors were wrong. The second visit to the doctor confirmed the family's fears: the parasitic amoeba became the cause of Tanner's poor health. Alas, by this moment his condition was already critical.
The boy, who had completely lost his brain activity, had to be disconnected from the life support system on August 2.
Naegleria fowleri or «carnivorous amoeba» is usually found in warm fresh water and enters the human body through the nose, causing a brain infection called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). In most cases, the outcome is fatal.
“People should remember that from July to the end of September the amoeba is a danger to them. — emphasizes Wall — She can be infected while diving or swimming, while water skiing or practicing any water sport.
