North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory has called for more regulatory oversight at U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte after an Ohio teen became infected with a brain-eating amoeba at the park and subsequently died, according to The Charlotte Observer.
Naegleria fowleri, which incites a deadly infection known as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, is commonly found in warm fresh water. Infection occurs only when the amoeba enters the body through the nose. According to the Observer, Whitewater Center — a 1,100-acre park surrounding the Catawba River dedicated to outdoor activities like whitewater rafting — is one of only three comparable parks that is not regulated to assist in the prevention of waterborne illness.
"I think there needs to be a total re-examination of classifying this type of park similar to a swimming pool, where there's ongoing testing," Gov. McCrory told the Observer. "From what I have read, I'm going to talk more to my Department of Health and Human Services. But there's no doubt a lesson [can be] learned from this terrible tragedy. My heart sinks for this young girl who lost her life."
The CDC confirmed the presence of the amoeba in preliminary tests taken from two samples extracted from the park. The organization is waiting on final lab results from seven other samples.
According to the Observer, Jennifer Cope, MD, medical epidemiologist with the CDC, categorized the initial test results as "concerning."
Find more information about Naegleria fowleri here.
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