A brain-eating amoeba has claimed the life of a 6-year-old boy from Lake Jackson, Texas. The boy's untimely death prompted officials to warn that water supply could be the deadly organism's source.
On September 8, Josiah McIntyre died at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston. The boy developed and fought primary amebic meningoencephalitis. It was then confirmed that the infection was caused by a rare fatal brain-eating amoeba - Naegleria Fowleri.
Deadly organism could have come from soil or freshwater
Experts say that the organism is commonly found in soil and freshwater like lakes and rivers. The most common victims are people swimming in warm freshwater, and the organism typically enters through the nose.
City officials are already looking into the source of the child's amoeba. However, the two possibilities could be a home lawn hose or the water play area - Lake Jackson Civic Center Splash Pad. Before he got ill, Josiah played at the splash pad last August, but officials are still unsure where he got the transmission.
A TODAY report noted that the splash pad storage tank and the nearby fire hydrant, as well as the water hose at the McIntyre family's home, tested positive for the amoeba. Residents of Lake Jackson advised not to use the water until officials have determined that it is safe.
The boy was a huge baseball fan
Josiah was an active boy, his mom, Maria Castillo, told ABC 13. She said that he was a good big brother who just loved and cared about many people. Like any other kid, she said, he loves to with his sisters, little brother, and cousins. Most of all, Josiah loves baseball.
His mom added that Josiah's love for baseball was real. Their family is a huge Astros fan, including his grandparents. She said she would take her to the games as often as she can and give him the best possible experience, baseball-wise. The boy was even wearing a Carlos Correa jersey when he died.
She wants answers about the water for the family's peace of mind
Castillo acknowledged that the hospital did everything they could for the boy. They didn't leave his side; a nurse or a doctor was always there. The boy never complained about a headache before. So when the boy said he has a headache and started to throw up, they did try to treat him at home and keep him hydrated as they thought it was nothing serious.
The next day, she decided to bring Josiah to the ER because she feared that the boy could be dehydrated. At first, doctors thought it was a viral infection, and they also tested him for COVID-19. But after three days, there were no signs of improvement, and since he started exhibiting an altered mental state, she decided to take the boy to the Texas Children's Hospital.
Castillo said she felt a mix of emotions about what happened. She was angry and upset, and at the same time, sad and heartbroken. She does want to get answers, though. "It means a lot" to her, she said. They would want to know how he contracted the organism, for their peace of mind.
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