A 12-year-old boy from South Carolina has died after contracting a rare amoeba called Naegleria fowleri while swimming in Lake Murray. Jaysen Carr, a student at Hand Middle School in Columbia, passed away on July 18.
The family of the deceased has come forward to thank the doctors and nurses at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital for their care and compassion during this difficult time. A GoFundMe has also been established to support the family financially.
According to the South Carolina Department of Public Health, human infection with Naegleria fowleri is rare and occurs naturally in most warm bodies of water. This case marks the first reported infection in the state since 2016 and only the 167th nationally over the past 62 years.
The department has emphasized that this is not a public health emergency, but rather an isolated incident. As the story continues to develop, WIS will provide updates on the investigation and any further information becomes available.
Source: https://www.wistv.com/2025/07/24/family-identifies-12-year-old-who-died-after-contracting-amoeba-sc