14-year-old athlete Michael John Riley Jr. was swimming with his cross-country team in mid-August at Sam Houston State Park when he encountered the Naegleria fowleri amoeba, according to CNN.
Michael, who had qualified for the Junior Olympics three times in track, reportedly died on Sunday after his headache turned into a loss of brain function.
“It's such a sad undertaking,” Dr. Umair Shah said of Michael’s story.
“The idea that) someone who had such a fantastic future would get such an amoeba and would be meningococcal meningitis and it's unfortunately not a good outcome."
We extend our condolences to the family of Michael John Riley, Jr. @Miracle4Michael pic.twitter.com/g80r8S8ZS3
— Every1Plays (@every1plays) August 31, 2015
The “brain-eating amoeba” occurs naturally in fresh water and can cause severe damage or death if they infect a person through the nose, according to ABC News. People reportedly generally get infected by swimming or diving into infected, warm bodies of water, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The amoeba reportedly enters the nose and travels to the brain.
“It is unknown why certain persons become infected with (Naegleria fowleri) while millions of others exposed to warm recreational fresh waters do not, including those who were swimming with people who became infected," the CDC said.
The Kansas health department has reportedly advised swimmers to use nose plugs when swimming in fresh water to prevent from being infected.
Michael’s family posted a message on a Facebook page dedicated to support the young athlete’s battle.
“Michael fought a courageous fight over the past week, allowing him to move on to be with the Lord for future heavenly tasks, a beautiful set of wings, and a pair of gold running shoes," the family's message reads.
“As Michael's work here is done, we will begin our work in honoring him by continuing with our search for a better understanding along with an awareness campaign in hopes of sparing others from the tremendous pain and agony that follows the onset of Naegleria fowleri and primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM).”
