Teenage boy who survived brain-eating amoeba contracted on vacation in Florida

Sebastian DeLeon, 16, contracted the virus swimming in Orlando
He developed a headache so severe he couldn’t tolerate being touched
Was diagnosed with amoeba, took only experimental drug that exists
To doctors’ amazement, he is now walking and talking
Only 4 people have survived the virus in the past 50 years

Mia De Graaf For Dailymail.com

Published:
09:37 EST, 23 August 2016

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Updated:
10:54 EST, 23 August 2016

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This is the 16-year-old boy who survived a brain-eating amoeba.

Sebastian DeLeon is one of just four people in the last 50 years known to have survived a naegleria fowleri infection, which kills 97 per cent of patients.

He was swimming on a private beach in Orlando, Florida, during a vacation with his family on August 7 when he contracted the infection through his nose.

But today, to his doctors amazement, the South Florida-based teen is walking, talking, and ready to go home.

Recounting his treatment at a news conference on Tuesday morning, Sebastian’s doctor was in tears.

And though Sebastian remains in his ward, preparing to go home, his parents appeared at the news conference to describe their joy and their fears of losing their ‘energetic, adventurous’ son.

Survivor: Sebastian DeLeon (pictured) is one of just four people in the last 50 years known to have survived a naegleria fowleri infection, which kills 97 per cent of patients

Sebastian’s parents (pictured) appeared at the news conference to describe their joy and their fears of losing their ‘energetic, adventurous’ son

The hospital did not say where the family is from except for South Florida.

‘I’ve treated amoeba cases in the past and they are all fatal. So this is a story we need to tell about Sebastian DeLeon,’ he said.

Minutes after inhaling the bacteria, Sebastian developed a headache so severe he couldn’t tolerate anyone touching him, and symptoms of meningitis, the doctors explained.

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His parents, from out of state, rushed him to Florida Hospital for Children where he was diagnosed with the infection.

The only drug known to treat the infection – an experimental medication called miltefosine – is made by an Orlando company.

The drug arrived at the hospital within 12 minutes of Sebastian’s diagnosis.

Doctors cooled him, gave him a breathing tube, and put him into a chemically-induced coma for days.

During that time they habitually took fluid samples to test for the amoeba and sent daily samples to the CDC who corroborated their diagnoses.

Eventually, the samples came back negative for naegleria fowleri.

WHAT IS NAEGLERIA FOWLERI?

Naegleria fowleri (pictured) is ingested through the nose

Naegleria fowleri is commonly referred to as the ‘brain-eating amoeba’ as it can cause a rare and devastating infection of the brain called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM).

But the infection is very rare, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been about 35 cases reported in the U.S. in the last decade.

The single-celled organism is commonly found in warm freshwater, such as lakes, rivers, and hot springs, as well as in soil.

It usually infects people when contaminated water enters the body through the nose. Once the amoeba enters the nose, it travels to the brain where it causes PAM, which is usually fatal.

Infection typically occurs when people go swimming or diving in warm freshwater places, like lakes and rivers.

In very rare instances, Naegleria infections may also occur when contaminated water from other sources (such as inadequately chlorinated swimming pool water or heated and contaminated tap water) enters the nose.

You cannot get infected from swallowing water contaminated with Naegleria.

Source: CDC

In tears, the doctor explained the next step.

‘We decided to take the breathing tube out and within hours he spoke,’ he said.

‘Since then he has done tremendously well. He is walking, he is speaking, he is ready to go home.

‘He went out for the first time to get some fresh air.

‘We believe, optimistically, he will recover and get rehab.’

His parents, who were not named, appeared emotional as they listened to the account.

His mother said: ‘We just want to say a few words of thank you to God and all his power for all he has done in saving our son’s life; for giving us this medical staff.’