Child Dies From Rare Brain-Eating Amoeba After Freshwater Exposure in Louisiana
An 8-year-old girl has died from a rare brain-eating amoeba after exposure to warm freshwater in Louisiana.
Tampa St. Petersburg, FL, August 25, 2026 —
An 8-year-old girl in Louisiana has died from a rare and typically fatal infection caused by a brain-eating amoeba, health officials have confirmed. The child contracted the amoeba after exposure to warm freshwater.
The specific type of amoeba responsible is believed to be Naegleria fowleri, a single-celled organism found in warm freshwater environments, including lakes, rivers, and hot springs. Infection occurs when the amoeba enters the nose and travels to the brain, where it destroys brain tissue. This type of infection is extremely rare, but when it does occur, it is often fatal.
Officials have not released the specific location or date of the exposure, citing privacy concerns for the family. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that Naegleria fowleri infections are most common in the southern United States during the warmer months of July, August, and September. While the amoeba is present in freshwater, the number of infections is very low, with only 31 reported cases in the U.S. between 2013 and 2022.
Symptoms of primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), the disease caused by Naegleria fowleri, typically begin within one to nine days after infection. These symptoms can include severe headache, fever, nausea, and vomiting. As the infection progresses, individuals may experience stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, seizures, and hallucinations. The disease progresses rapidly and is usually fatal within one to 18 days after symptoms start.
Health authorities are reminding the public about precautions to take when swimming or engaging in water activities in warm freshwater bodies. These precautions include avoiding nasal insertion of water, using nose plugs, and avoiding stirring up sediment when the water is warm. The amoeba cannot cause infection simply by swallowing contaminated water. It must enter the nose.
The family of the child has not released any public statements. The investigation into the exact source and circumstances of the infection is ongoing.
Story summarized from the original created by Ashley Suter on www.wfla.com, see more information here.
