A case of the brain-eating amoeba Naegleria fowleri has been confirmed in South Carolina, according to the Department of Public Health (DPH). The agency reported a single case in late July, but stated that the amoeba is common in freshwater lakes, rivers, and ponds.
The DPH warned that while recreational water users should assume the presence of Naegleria fowleri in warm waters, the risk of infection is extremely low. In fact, there are fewer than 10 cases reported annually in the US, but the amoeba is nearly always fatal.
No exact location has been confirmed, and testing for this specific amoeba is not mandatory in South Carolina. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and environmental services have declined to comment on the case due to a lack of information.
Source: https://www.wistv.com/2025/07/21/department-public-health-confirms-case-brain-eating-amoeba-south-carolina