A 17-year-old Georgia girl has unfortunately died after swimming in a lake close to her home. Megan Ebenroth contracted a brain-eating amoeba known as Naegleria fowleri while swimming in a freshwater lake. She died 11 days later, on July 22, 2023. Megan's case is the sixth reported case in Georgia since 1962. The risk for infection is pretty low, but the Georgia Department of Public Health still advises people to always assume that they are taking a risk when swimming in warm bodies of freshwater.
“I do want it to be known that Doctors Hospital tried to do a spinal tap to diagnose her and that the Children’s Hospital at MCG fought aggressively for her," Christina Ebenroth, Megan's mom, shared. She confirmed the death of her daughter days before the health department issued a public safety alert about the infection.
According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, once an individual becomes contaminated with the amoeba, it can damage brain tissue and result in brain swelling and often death. An infected person can develop symptoms anywhere between one and 12 days after contact with the water.
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Mild common symptoms include severe headaches, fever, nausea, and vomiting. They can progressively worsen to stiff neck, seizures, and a coma that can lead to death.
Megan spent a few days in the hospital after developing the infection. The McDuffie County Coroner’s Office ruled her case to be a brain infection.
The 17-year-old was set to start her senior year of high school this week. She also had plans to attend the University of Georgia after graduating.
She was a straight-A student, holding leadership positions of vice president of her school's Spanish Club and president of the Beta Club. Her death has shocked many people in her community
Her boyfriend's place of employment, the Belle Meade Country Club, set up a GoFundMe campaign in her honor. "As most of you know our Cart Attendant Seth Adams has been an incredible asset to our club and operation over the past few years," the campaign read. "Last week his Girlfriend Megan Ebenroth suddenly passed away from a rare brain infection and we would like to take this time of grief to help Megan's family out during these tough and trying times."
All proceeds will go to the family. As of now, $3,495 has been raised, exceeding the $1,000 goal.
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