Houston teen dies from brain-eating amoeba

[TexasTowelie]

The young teen who fell ill after a swimming outing earlier this month with his high school track teammates has died.

The family of Michael John Riley Jr. announced that the 14-year-old died after contracting a lethal disease caused by a brain-eating amoeba after swimming in the warm waters at Sam Houston State Park.

"It is with a heavy heart that we tell you, Michael John Riley Jr. lost his battle on this earth but won a victory for his place in the arms of our Lord Jesus Christ," according to the family's Facebook post. "Michael fought a courageous fight over the past week, allowing him to move on to be with the Lord for future heavenly tasks, a beautiful set of wings, and a pair of gold running shoes."

The family vows to honor Riley's legacy by supporting scientific efforts to better understand primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (or PAM, as it's better known) along with an awareness campaign to prevent others from contracting the disease.

Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/article/Houston-teen-dies-from-brain-eating-amoeba-6474652.php

[Ilsa]

1. Breaks my heart.

This poor family deserves good thoughts and prayers sent their way.

[Historic NY]

2. Tell the kids to hold their noses..........

when jumping into water...

http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2011/08/19/139781956/hold-your-nose-to-avoid-brain-eating-amoebas

[still_one]

3. stay out of the water which is stagnant, and make sure it has been tested

[rurallib]

4. My kids in Minnesota tell they have had this happen up there this year also

That is really scary

[Gothmog]

5. This was covered on the local news

May he rest in peace

[TexasBushwhacker]

6. It's a miracle only one kid got sick n/t

[TexasTowelie]

7. What is bad at my apartment complex

is that the pool is closed because there are cracks at the bottom and the water isn't being treated, but a couple of months ago there were young adults in the pool late at night while there were thunderstorms only a few miles away. The stupidity around this place is amazing.