ALEXANDRIA - The family of an Alexandria teen says he is fighting for his life after contracting a rare and severe brain infection while swimming in a Minnesota lake.
Hunter Boutain, 14, was in critical condition Wednesday at University of Minnesota Medical Center in Minneapolis.
Wednesday afternoon, Bryan Boutain, Hunter’s uncle, issued this statement: “As of this afternoon, Hunter is still in the hospital and remains in critical condition. This is a difficult time for our family. We are grateful for the support we’ve received, and welcome everyone’s continued prayers.”
Hunter is the son of Jeffery Boutain of Alexandria.
The Minnesota Department of Health is investigating the illness called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM).
PAM is reportedly a rare and severe brain infection caused by an ameba called Naegleria fowleri.
Health officials determined Hunter developed the infection after swimming recently in Lake Minnewaska in Pope County.
It hasn’t been reported where in Lake Minnewaska he was swimming, but public beaches in the cities of Glenwood and Starbuck were closed briefly Tuesday night while officials gathered more information.
The beaches are now open.
“This ameba lives in warm fresh water and this child happened to contract it in Lake Minnewaska, but it could have been any area lake where there’s warm fresh water,” said Sandy Tubbs, administrator of Horizon Public Health.
“We are urging people not to be afraid to enjoy area lakes,” Tubbs said. “This case is extremely rare.”
There were 35 cases of PAM reported in the United States in the last 10 years.
“To have 35 cases in Minnesota would be rare, but to have 35 in the nation is extremely rare,” Tubbs said.
In a statement released Wednesday, Glenwood Mayor Scott Formo said, “We continue to work with state and local organizations to gather information that can be distributed so the general public can also be informed. Since the infection is very rare, the city beach was reopened. A devastating illness such as this is hard to deal with, yet alone find words of comfort for the family. Again, our thoughts are with the family and friends of this child.”
