An 8-year-old girl in Louisiana has died after contracting a rare brain infection caused by Naegleria fowleri, a brain-eating amoeba. This organism is typically found in warm freshwater environments. The infection led to the death of Lillian Smart over the weekend.
Her family revealed that she passed away due to the severe damage caused by the infection. Lillian’s parents, Daniel and Rebecca Smart, expressed their grief on Facebook, mentioning that her brain injuries were irreparable despite all efforts to save her.
The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed that this is the state’s first Naegleria fowleri case since 2013. Such infections are extremely rare, with fewer than ten cases reported annually nationwide. The amoeba usually causes a condition called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis when water containing the organism enters the nose.
Governor Jeff Landry expressed his sorrow over Lillian’s death on social media. The infection was likely contracted while she was swimming in Lake Claiborne, located in northern Louisiana. Between 1937 and 2025, there have been only about 180 confirmed cases in the U.S., with most being fatal.
The amoeba resides in warm freshwater locations including lakes, rivers, and ponds. It becomes dangerous when temperatures exceed 77 degrees Fahrenheit. While commonly found in southern states during summer, recent cases have emerged in Maryland, Indiana, and Minnesota.
According to the Louisiana Department of Health, Naegleria fowleri occurs naturally, and there is no regular environmental testing for it. A similar case occurred last year when a 12-year-old boy in South Carolina died from the same infection.
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