Eight-year-old Lillian Smart of Ruston, Louisiana, has died after contracting a rare and usually fatal brain infection caused by the amoeba Naegleria fowleri. Health officials said the exposure most likely happened while she was swimming in Lake Claiborne. Lillian died Saturday, one day after her eighth birthday, her family said. Her death has drawn renewed attention to an extremely rare infection associated with warm freshwater.
Lillian Smart’s Final Days
Lillian had been hospitalized since August 15 as doctors treated the infection. Her family announced her death in a public Facebook post, saying the damage to her brain was too severe for her body to recover. The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed on August 19 that a state resident had contracted Naegleria fowleri. Officials said the exposure most likely occurred during swimming at Lake Claiborne in Claiborne Parish. Family friends later identified Lillian as the infected resident.
The Rare Amoeba Behind the Infection
Naegleria fowleri is a microscopic amoeba that can live in warm freshwater. In rare cases, contaminated water enters the nose, allowing the organism to travel to the brain and cause primary amebic meningoencephalitis, a severe brain infection. The infection is almost always fatal. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only about 180 cases have been identified in the United States since 1937.
Where Naegleria Fowleri Can Be Found
The amoeba can occur in warm freshwater, including lakes, rivers and ponds. Cases are most commonly associated with warm conditions and southern states during the summer. Naegleria fowleri is not found in saltwater. It also does not survive in properly maintained and chlorinated swimming pools. People cannot contract the infection simply by swallowing contaminated water. The infection also does not spread from person to person.
The Louisiana Community Rally Around Lillian’s Family
Lillian's illness prompted an outpouring of support in Ruston. More than two dozen local businesses donated portions of their sales to the Smart family while she was hospitalized, according to the family's public Facebook page. Her family shared the news of her death with supporters after her condition deteriorated.
Rare Infections Remain a Summer Risk
Cases of Naegleria fowleri remain exceptionally uncommon, but infections have occurred in Louisiana and other southern states. In 2023, an Arkansas child died after contracting the amoeba from a country club splash pad in Little Rock. Health experts have also raised concerns that warmer conditions could allow the amoeba to appear in areas where it has historically been less common.
What Comes Next
Lillian's death is likely to keep attention focused on the risks associated with warm freshwater during the summer months. The Louisiana Department of Health identified Lake Claiborne as the likely exposure site in this case. For families using warm freshwater areas, understanding where the amoeba can occur and how infection happens remains an important part of summer water safety.
FAQ
What is Naegleria fowleri?
Naegleria fowleri is a microscopic amoeba that can live in warm freshwater and, in rare cases, cause a severe brain infection called primary amebic meningoencephalitis.
How did Lillian Smart contract the brain-eating amoeba?
Louisiana health officials said the exposure most likely occurred while the eight-year-old was swimming in Lake Claiborne.
Is Naegleria fowleri infection contagious?
No. The infection does not spread from one person to another.
Can you get Naegleria fowleri by drinking contaminated water?
The source states that people cannot become infected simply by swallowing water containing the amoeba. Infection occurs when contaminated water enters the nose.
Where does Naegleria fowleri live?
The amoeba can be found in warm freshwater such as lakes, rivers and ponds. It is not found in saltwater or properly maintained and chlorinated swimming pools.
