An 8-year-old girl from Louisiana has died after contracting a rare and often fatal brain infection caused by Naegleria fowleri, commonly known as the “brain-eating amoeba.”
The girl, Lillian Smart, from Ruston in northern Louisiana, died in hospital over the weekend shortly after celebrating her eighth birthday, according to her family.
Likely Linked to Lake Swimming
Health officials said the infection was likely contracted while swimming in Lake Claiborne, located about 30 miles northwest of Ruston.
Naegleria fowleri is a microscopic organism that can live in warm freshwater. Infection can occur when contaminated water enters the nose and the amoeba travels to the brain. It does not spread from person to person.
Extremely Rare but Highly Dangerous
The infection can cause a severe neurological condition known as primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM).
According to Louisiana health officials, only around 180 confirmed infections were recorded in the US between 1937 and 2025, and the infection is nearly always fatal.
Symptoms Can Progress Quickly
Early symptoms can include headache, fever, nausea and vomiting. As the infection progresses, patients may experience stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and other serious neurological symptoms.
Lillian had reportedly been receiving intensive care after initially developing a fever that later progressed to more serious symptoms.
Louisiana Issues Health Warning
The Louisiana Department of Health recently confirmed a Naegleria fowleri infection in the state, its first confirmed case since 2013. Officials have emphasized that the amoeba naturally occurs in warm freshwater and that there is no routine environmental testing for it in recreational water bodies.
How to Reduce the Risk
Health authorities recommend taking precautions when swimming in warm freshwater. Avoiding water entering the nose or using a nose clip while jumping or diving can help reduce the risk of exposure.
