An 8-year-old girl, Lillian Smart, has died in the US state of Louisiana after contracting a rare infection caused by Naegleria fowleri, commonly referred to as a "brain-eating amoeba."
According to reports from international media outlets, as cited by the Operative Information Center-OMM, the child passed away following the infection, which her family confirmed was contracted over the weekend. Medical professionals stated that the damage caused to her brain was too severe for recovery.
The Louisiana Department of Health has identified Lake Claiborne, located in the northern part of the state, as the likely source of the infection. While Naegleria fowleri is extremely rare in the United States—with only about 180 confirmed cases reported between 1937 and 2025—it remains a serious health concern. The amoeba thrives in warm freshwater environments such as lakes, rivers, and canals, particularly when water temperatures exceed 25°C. Health officials emphasize that the infection is not transmitted from person to person. This incident marks the first confirmed case of Naegleria fowleri in Louisiana since 2013.
