Eight-year-old dies after contracting rare brain-eating amoeba in Louisiana

The girl, identified by ABC7 Los Angeles and People.com as Lillian Smart, contracted Naegleria fowleri, a rare brain-eating amoeba, while swimming in a Louisiana lake. The amoeba is found in warm freshwater. The girl's death was confirmed by AP News, CNN, and Fox News. The community in Ruston, Louisiana, rallied around the family as the girl fought the infection, according to KSLA and KNOE.

The girl's death has sparked concern about the dangers of Naegleria fowleri. The amoeba is typically found in warm freshwater, such as lakes and rivers, and can cause a rare and devastating infection of the brain called primary amebic meningoencephalitis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends avoiding warm freshwater during periods of high water temperature and low water levels, as these conditions can increase the risk of exposure to the amoeba. The CDC has not yet issued a statement specifically addressing this case.

The Louisiana Department of Health has not yet provided details about any potential public health response or advisories related to the lake where the girl contracted the amoeba. The family has not yet released a public statement about the girl's death. The community in Ruston is mourning the loss of the girl. The family has expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support from the community.