Moises Ponce Mendoza, a 17-year-old from Burlington, North Carolina, died Monday after contracting a rare brain-eating amoeba. His family is still seeking answers about where and how he became infected.
A rare and devastating infection
Health experts report fewer than 10 cases of the illness each year. Moises’s family said he died at a hospital in Chapel Hill after developing the infection.
In a Univision report, his mother, Monica Mendoza, described the grief of losing her son and the uncertainty surrounding the source of his exposure.
“How am I going to live with this void? I come home, and he’s not there.”
A sudden decline
Through tears, Mendoza recalled the days before her son’s death. She said Moises first went to Alamance Regional Medical Center and was sent home with medicine. His condition later worsened, prompting his family to take him to UNC Medical Center in Chapel Hill.
“He started acting like crazy, screaming like crazy and grabbing his head. And I started crying, and I held him and said, ‘My son, what’s wrong with you?’”
Mendoza said that was the last time she saw her son conscious before he entered a coma and died several days later.
“Even the doctors said your son is very loved, because we’ve never seen a patient have so many people come see them.”
Remembering Moises
Family members said Moises was known for his love of soccer and spending time with friends. His brother, Elmer Aguilar Mendoza, reflected on the loss and the memories they shared.
“I wish I could go back in time, hug him, and tell him just how much we loved him. My kids, my nephews loved him very much.”
The search for answers
While the family mourns Moises, they are also trying to determine where he may have encountered the amoeba.
“We always went to many different places to swim. We always loved that. Lakes, pools, many places.”
Mendoza said she hopes health officials can determine how her son became sick.
“Please, pay close attention and do your part to find where this came from so we can protect everyone else.”
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services said Friday that it has not identified a most likely source of exposure. The investigation remains ongoing.
Editor’s note: Quotes from the interview subjects have been translated from Spanish to English.