CDC

Fatal case of N. fowleri infection in 2023 traced to splash pad

March 31, 2025

A fatal case of primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), caused by Naegleria fowleri, was diagnosed in a young child in Pulaski County, Arkansas, in September 2023. The investigation revealed that the child was exposed to inadequately disinfected water at a splash pad.

This case marks the third instance of splash pad–associated PAM in the U.S., with all cases linked to insufficient water disinfection. Clinicians should consider PAM in patients presenting with acute meningoencephalitis and a history of recent exposure to fresh water, including treated recreational water. Proper management and operation of splash pads are crucial to prevent such infections. Enhanced awareness and collaboration among healthcare providers, public health officials, and the aquatics sector are essential for effective identification, treatment, and prevention of N. fowleri infections.

Source:

Dulski TM, et al. (2025, March 27). CDC MMWR. Fatal Case of Splash Pad–Associated Naegleria fowleri Meningoencephalitis — Pulaski County, Arkansas, September 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/74/wr/mm7410a2.htm