Young Texas track star Michael Riley has succumbed to death on Sunday, Aug. 30 after being infected with a rare brain-eating bacteria called Naegleria fowleri, the teenager's family and local media confirmed.
Michael was taken to the Texas Children's Hospital and was induced in a medical comatose state, says Jennifer Hoffman, Michael's cousin. The situation stayed that way until the diagnostic examinations performed confirmed that the entire functionality of Michael's brain has ceased and that his breathing cannot continue on without a support from a medical equipment. According to the statement, the tests performed that night was not good and along with it are Michael's failure to function without aid and maintain adequate blood flow to the brain. The mechanical ventilator that supported Michael's breathing was also removed on the same night.
"Michael fought a courageous fight over the past week," read the statement of the family posted on the Miracle 4 Michael Facebook page. This has enabled him to carry on with God for his future tasks in heaven, donning a beautiful pair of wings and gold running shoes.
The family of Michael believes that he contracted the disease after his trip with his teammates in Sam Houston State Park on Aug. 13, 2015. Michael, who was a three-time Junior Olympics qualifier and an honor student, was said to have swam in a lake during the trip. After about a week, he started complaining of headache and fever, which were immediately followed by disorientation and confusion within 24 hours of the first symptoms. The initial impression of the doctors was that Michael had a Naegleria fowleri amoeba.
According to the Harris County Public Health and Environment, their agency was first notified of the case on Aug. 22, 2015. However, they could not confirm the identity of the patient then due to privacy matters.
Naegleria Fowleri, or commonly known as "brain-eating amoeba," is a rare bacteria usually found in warm fresh waters like rivers and lakes. People may get infected when the contaminated water enters the nose and travels to the body, including the brain where it may cause Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), however, people cannot get infected by drinking water contaminated with the bacteria.
Michael may have died but for his family, his death is just the beginning of their work to honor their teenage boy by advocating and supporting initiatives, which will help improve the knowledge of experts and the public regarding the disease. The family is also set to participate in awareness campaigns in the aim of saving families from experiencing the severe pain and suffering that Naegleria fowleri infection and PAM diagnoses may bring.
