A 12-year-old boy from South Carolina has tragically passed away due to a brain-eating amoeba. Jaysen Carr was swimming in Lake Murray when he became infected, leading to a fatal brain condition that took his life. His parents are now eager to share this warning with others.
On a serene Fourth of July, 12-year-old Jaysen Carr was having a wonderful time swimming at Lake Murray, South Carolina, with his family. However, that joyful day quickly turned into a nightmare.
Carr developed a rare and deadly brain infection caused by Naegleria fowleri, a brain-eating amoeba. This infection, known as primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), occurs when water enters the nose, allowing the amoeba to reach the brain, which can happen during freshwater recreational activities.
Jaysen Carr passed away at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital-Midlands, a pediatric hospital in South Carolina. According to CBS News, the South Carolina Department of Health reported that this was the first known case of the amoeba since 2016.
The CDC states that Naegleria fowleri “is found in soil and warm freshwater lakes, rivers, ponds, and hot springs globally. In extremely rare instances, it has also been detected in poorly maintained swimming pools, splash pads, and other recreational areas. Additionally, the amoeba has been identified in tap water.”
From 1962 to 2024, there have been 167 reported cases of PAM in the United States, with only four survivors.
12-year-old Jaysen Carr tragically passed away due to a brain-eating amoeba.
On Tuesday, the family of 12-year-old Jaysen Carr held a press conference. While they are in mourning, they also aim to raise awareness about this rare and deadly brain infection.
“This is an incredibly difficult time for us,” stated Clarence Carr, Jaysen’s father. “We’re doing everything we can, but please understand, we don’t want this to happen to anyone else. We’re here to spread awareness and take it from there.”
Jaysen’s mother, Ebony, honored her son by wearing his all-state champion headband. She expressed that had they been aware of the dangers of swimming in the lake, no one would have chosen to dive into the water.
“We really want the public to understand that there are significant risks associated with swimming in Lake Murray and any other bodies of water,” she mentioned. “It’s crucial to raise awareness about this, and we don’t want his death to be meaningless because if we had known, he wouldn’t have gone in.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to minimize the risk of infection, it’s advisable to hold your nose or use a nose clip when jumping or diving into freshwater. Additionally, it’s important to keep your head above water in hot springs, as reported by CBS.
Symptoms of infection may include nausea, vomiting, fever, a stiff neck, seizures, severe headaches, changes in mental state, and hallucinations.
The family aims to raise awareness.
A GoFundMe page has been created for Jaysen. It portrays him as an “amazing son, a dedicated brother, and a genuine friend to all who knew him. His generous heart and vibrant spirit made a significant impression on everyone he encountered.”
Jaysen courageously battled a serious medical condition, and although his resilience inspired many, the experience has resulted in the Carr family facing many unforeseen costs. As they deal with this devastating loss, we hope to unite in support to help lighten their load,” the GoFundMe states.
As of now, the fundraiser has raised over $58,000.
Rest in peace, Jaysen Carr. Please share this article on Facebook to help spread awareness and caution others about this brain-eating amoeba.
