A 12-year-old Midlands boy died on July 18 after a Naegleria fowleri infection, possibly contracted from Lake Murray.

The family's attorney, Tyler Bailey, released the following statement:

"It is with deep sadness that we share the heartbreaking news of 12-year-old Jaysen Carr, who tragically passed away on July 18 after contracting Naegleria fowleri, a rare brain infection, while swimming in Lake Murray.
Jaysen was a bright and beloved student at Hand Middle School. His loss is unimaginable, and our hearts are with his family as they grieve their son and search for answers.

The Carr family is incredibly grateful for the outpouring of love from the community and for the dedicated care provided by the doctors and nurses at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital in the Midlands.

As their legal team, we stand beside this family not only to seek the truth, but to help ensure no other family endures a loss like this.

We ask that you keep the Carrs in your thoughts and prayers and respect their privacy as they prepare to lay Jaysen to rest."

The South Carolina Department of Public Health provided the following statement to the Chronicle: 

"The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) was made aware of one case of Naegleria fowleri in the Midlands region the week of July 7. The exposure to the organism likely occurred at Lake Murray, but we cannot be completely certain as this organism occurs naturally and is present in many warm water lakes, rivers and streams.

Prisma Health Richland Hospital in Columbia publicly confirmed the death.

Infection with Naegleria fowleri is not required to be reported to South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) but is very serious and almost always fatal. Infection is rare, occurring in less than 10 people a year in the United States; however, water activities that can forcefully introduce the organism into the nasal passages like diving in warm freshwater areas such as lakes and rivers may increase risk of exposure and infection.

Recreational water users should assume that Naegleria fowleri is present in warm freshwater; however, the risk of infection is very low. While millions of people across the United States enjoy recreational activities in warm water each year, as previously noted, less than

10 Naegleria fowleri infections are identified each year. To reduce the risk of infection from Naegleria fowleri, limit the amount of water that enters the nose."