Case Report Data & Graphs

Three confirmed cases of Naegleria fowleri were reported in 2022. These illnesses occurred after exposure to freshwater in Iowa, Nebraska, and Arizona.

Number of Case Reports of Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis, by Year — United States, 1962 - 2022

N=157; Year of exposure unknown for one case

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Case Reports by Year [XLS – 22 KB]

Number of Case Reports of Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis by Age Group and Gender — United States, 1962-2022

N=157; median age=11; 77.1% male

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Case Reports by Age Group and Gender [XLS – 17 KB]

Number of Case Reports of Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis, by Month of Illness Onset and Probable Water Exposure — United States, 1962 – 2022

N = 146
*Aquatic venues are artificially constructed structures or modified natural structures where the general public is exposed to water intended for recreational or therapeutic purpose. Examples include swimming pools, interactive water play venues/water playgrounds (such as splash pads and surf parks), and hot tubs. CDC and its state and local public health partners have identified PAM cases linked to inadequately operated aquatic venues (for example, consistently unable to detect chlorine in the water). However, CDC is not aware of any PAM cases linked to well-operated aquatic venues.
** Water was forced up the nose during use.
Month of illness onset unknown for 11 cases. Of those case reports missing the month of exposure, probable water exposures included lake, pond, reservoir (N =5), unknown/multiple (N=5), and geothermal water (N=1)

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Case Reports by Month of Illness Onset and Probable Water Exposure [XLS – 24 KB]