MAY 21, 2025

Fatal Case of Naegleria fowleri Meningoencephalitis Tied to Splash Pad

By Ethan Covey

A young child who died of primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), an infection caused by Naegleria fowleri, was exposed by playing on a splash pad that was using inadequately disinfected water.

Authors of a CDC report noted that the case highlights the importance of proper design, construction, operation and management of splash pads (MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2025;74[10]:167-172).

“Most Naegleria fowleri infections in the U.S. have been associated with swimming or diving in