An 8-year-old girl from Louisiana, Lillian Smart, passed away after contracting an infection from Naegleria fowleri, a rare brain-eating amoeba. This organism is typically found in warm freshwater environments in the United States.
Lillian was diagnosed over the weekend, and despite extensive efforts to save her, the damage to her brain was too severe. Her family shared their grief publicly, acknowledging the efforts made to save their daughter. The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed this as the first infection in the state since 2013, although they refrained from commenting on individual cases.
Lillian likely contracted the infection while swimming in Lake Claiborne, located in northern Louisiana. The infection, known as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, occurs when infected water enters the body through the nose, affecting the brain. From 1937 to 2025, around 180 cases have been confirmed in the U.S., and these are almost always fatal. Importantly, the infection does not transmit from person to person.
Naegleria fowleri thrives in warm freshwater temperatures above 77°F (25°C). It primarily appears during summer in southern U.S. states, though cases have also been noted in Maryland, Indiana, and Minnesota. Current practices do not include routine testing for this amoeba in water bodies, adding to the challenges of prevention. Last year, a similar tragic incident occurred in South Carolina, claiming the life of a 12-year-old boy due to this lethal infection.
Brook is part of The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative, which aims to address underreported issues by supporting journalists in local newsrooms.
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