MDH: Amoeba Wasn’t the Cause of Death for Alexandria Teen

ST. PAUL - Labratory testing has confirmed that an Alexandria teen didn't die from an amoeba as previously thought.

Research from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 14-year-old Hunter Boutain didn't die from suspected primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), but instead from a case of meningitis.

The Minnesota Department of Health announced the suspected PAM case on July 7th, after initial testing and also due to Boutain's recent swimming exposure. Boutain became sick after swimming in Lake Minnewaska and later died.

Testing was done at the CDC to verify the finding. However, the testing didn't match.

The Department of Health says the results help bring clarity to the situation, but don't lessen the tragic nature of the case. The results also don't change the fact that there's always a very low-level risk of amoeba infection when swimming in fresh water.