CDC: Naegleria Fowleri In Erenberg's Body

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed today Naegleria fowleri as the cause of fatal Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM).

Erenberg had gone swimming in a few days before he became ill with the rare form of meningitis and died Tuesday, Aug. 7. On Friday, Aug. 10 thein the lake.

Prior to the confirmation of the amoeba in Erenberg’s body Richard Danila, Minnesota Department of Health assistant state epidemiologist said he was "99 percent sure" it was responsible for the 9-year-old’s death, "but the CDC test results made it 100 percent certain."

Minnesota Department of Health officials said in a press release "it will never be possible to know for sure where the child was infected, but the timing of the illness and other factors point to Lily Lake in Washington County."

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted confirmatory clinical testing for the organism, and reported the results this afternoon to the Minnesota Department of Health.

Two years ago, 7-year-old Anne Bahneman of Stillwater, also died of the same infection after swimming in the same lake. Her death was the northernmost confirmed case in the nation. PAM is rare, just 125 confirmed cases since 1962. 

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