Augusta, GA

Teen dies from brain-eating amoeba; mother says doctors ‘fought aggressively’ to save her

Published

1 year ago

August 3, 2023

Press Room

Teen dies from brain-eating amoeba; mother says doctors ‘fought aggressively’ to save her

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/Gray News) – A 17-year-old Georgia girl has died after contracting a rare infection.

Megan Ebenroth died on July 22. Her mother said doctors aggressively fought to save her daughter’s life.

“I do want it to be known that doctors tried to do a spinal tap to diagnose her, and that the Children’s Hospital fought aggressively for her,” said the girl’s mother, Christina Ebenroth.

The 17-year-old reportedly picked up the infection after swimming in a freshwater lake, a common source for Naegleria fowleri, a rare brain infection commonly known as brain-eating amoeba.

The amoeba is a microscopic parasite found in warm, fresh bodies of water like hot springs or lakes. It can enter through the nose, get into the sinuses, and travel up nerves to the brain.

The infection is rare but nearly always fatal.

Prior to this confirmed case, there have been five other cases reported in Georgia since 1962.

Loved ones described Megan Ebenroth as adventurous and a straight-A student. She was also vice president of the Spanish club and played tennis.

Next year, she hoped to go to the University of Georgia.

Her family said she was deeply loved everywhere she went.

According to doctors, the infection is usually only diagnosed in it’s later stages when symptoms progress to a more severe illness. At that point, it’s usually too late to treat effectively.

Dr. Wassim Ballan, an infectious disease specialist at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, said there are concerns about cases rising, as well as several other infectious diseases.

“We are probably going to see a change in trends because of the climate changing and the temperatures rising,” Ballan said. “So, there is a lot of concern in the infectious disease community about a lot of different infections, including amoebic infections becoming more common as the climate is warming.”

He also said parents who notice their child feeling unwell after a day of swimming should get them checked out right away. Early symptoms usually start five days after infection. They include sudden fever, headache and a stiff neck.

Because the amoeba can be deadly by entering through the nose, doctors recommend people to not jump or dive into the water and instead hold their nose or wear nose clips. Or better yet, keep their head above water.

More information on Naegleria fowleri is available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Source link

Click to comment

Augusta, GA

1 dead, another injured in shooting on C Street in Augusta

Published

3 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Press Room

1 dead, another injured in shooting on C Street in Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – One person has died and another has been injured after a shooting on the 2100 block of C Street on Thursday night.

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office says deputies responded to C Street around 9:34 p.m. in reference to shots fired with two people down.

Deputies says upon arrival, they located one male and one female subject had been shot at least one time.

Both victims were transported to a local hospital for treatment, where the male victim succumbed to his injuries.

The sheriff’s office says investigators are still on scene as of 11 p.m.

Also on Thursday, 50-year-old Chavious Kimmerlin was shot dead in his home on Highland Avenue.

The shooting comes amid a two-year outbreak of violent crime that’s claimed more than 180 lives across the CSRA.

Cities large and small have been affected on both sides of the Savannah River. But as the largest community in the region, Augusta has been hit especially hard.

Authorities have blamed much of the problem on gangs.

Source link

Augusta, GA

Blue Angels make trip to Augusta ahead of spring shows

Published

13 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Press Room

Blue Angels make trip to Augusta ahead of spring shows

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Blue Angels graced the river region’s skies on Thursday.

They landed at Bush Field for some practice ahead of their show dates that start in the spring.

On Thursday afternoon, you might have seen or heard the flight demonstration squad.

After their winter site visit, we heard from the two pilots about the air show.

“Our mission as The Blue Angels is to inspire, serve the country and inspire those to excellence through our flight demonstration and community outreach. So, our hope is to bring a little bit of that to Augusta,” said Lt. Commander Lilly Montana.

According to the show schedule, The Blue Angels are expected to be in Beaufort, S.C. on April 12 and 13 and then in Augusta on April 26 and 27.

Source link

Augusta, GA

WATCH LIVE: 1 killed in early morning shooting on Highland Avenue

Published

21 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Press Room

WATCH LIVE: 1 killed in early morning shooting on Highland Avenue

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A man was killed early Thursday in a shooting on Highland Avenue, the latest victim in an outbreak of violent crime with a toll that’s nearing 200 in a little over two years across the CSRA.

Richmond County Coroner Mark Bowen identified the victim as Chavious Kimmerlin, 50.

At 7:13 am, deputies say they responded to the 500 block of Highland Avenue to investigate a report of gunshots.

Upon arrival, deputies say they found the victim, who had suffered at least one gunshot wound.

The victim was pronounced deceased on the scene by the coroner, according to deputies.

He lived at the home where he was found.

An autopsy will be conducted.

At the scene, yellow crime tape surrounded a white house.

There was a marked Richmond County Sheriff’s Office car and three unmarked cars in the turning lane in front of the house on Highland Avenue.

Investigators were still on the scene at 9:30 a.m. and there is no additional information available at this time, authorities said.

The shooting comes amid a two-year outbreak of violent crime that’s claimed more than 180 lives across the CSRA.

Cities large and small have been affected on both sides of the Savannah River. But as the largest community in the region, Augusta has been hit especially hard.

Authorities have blamed much of the problem on gangs.

Source link