Naegleria fowleri remains statistically rare across United States
Naegleria fowleri infections remain rare at under 10 cases yearly despite severe outcomes.
Event / Health
Naegleria Fowleri Infections US
Deaths and cases from brain-eating amoeba infections acquired in freshwater environments, with Louisiana reporting multiple fatalities since 2011 and CDC tracking nationwide cases.
6 reported locations
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4 articles0 articles
2026-08-24 to 2026-11-08 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 24 Aug, 07:04 UTC
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What happened
Eight-year-old Louisiana girl dies from Naegleria fowleri infection
An 8-year-old girl named Lillian Smart in Louisiana died from Naegleria fowleri infection, likely contracted while swimming in Lake Claiborne in north Louisiana. The death occurred in early August 2026.
Naegleria fowleri symptoms include severe headache, nausea, vomiting, and fever
Initial symptoms of Naegleria fowleri infection include severe headache, nausea, vomiting, and fever. Later symptoms include stiff neck, seizures, and coma.
North Carolina teenager critically ill from Naegleria fowleri brain-eating amoeba infection
A North Carolina teenager is critically ill after contracting Naegleria fowleri, a rare brain-eating amoeba found in warm freshwater. The teen is receiving medical care and the source of infection is under investigation. State health officials noted that once symptoms begin, the disease typically progresses rapidly and causes death within approximately five days.
Naegleria fowleri detected in freshwater at U.S. National Parks
A study found traces of Naegleria fowleri in freshwater at popular National Parks in Wyoming, Nevada, and Arizona during 2026.
Naegleria fowleri amoeba found in warm freshwater bodies including lakes and rivers
Naegleria fowleri is a brain-eating amoeba found in warm freshwater environments including ponds, lakes, and rivers. The amoeba grows best in hotter water and does not cause illness if swallowed but can be fatal if water containing it enters the brain through the nose during water activities such as jumping, diving, or water-skiing.
Fewer than 10 Naegleria fowleri cases per year in the United States
The United States typically sees fewer than 10 cases per year of Naegleria fowleri infection, also known as primary amebic meningoencephalitis or PAM.
CDC reports two primary amebic meningoencephalitis cases nationwide last year
The CDC reported two cases of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) nationwide in the previous year. Of 173 PAM infections documented over roughly the past 90 years, nearly 91% occurred in July and August, indicating strong seasonality in infection rates.
Naegleria fowleri amoeba detected in Lake Claiborne, Louisiana
The Louisiana Department of Health announced that a state resident was hospitalized after becoming infected with Naegleria fowleri. Health officials determined the infection was most likely acquired while swimming in Lake Claiborne shortly before the patient became ill.
Louisiana reports three prior deaths from Naegleria fowleri since 2011
Louisiana Department of Health records identify three previous deaths associated with Naegleria fowleri in the state since 2011. In 2011, a 20-year-old man in St. Bernard Parish died after using tap water to rinse his sinuses, and a 51-year-old woman in DeSoto Parish died after using tap water for a similar purpose. In 2013, a 4-year-old boy contracted the amoeba while visiting a home in St. Bernard Parish where he played on a slip-and-slide. CDC testing later detected Naegleria fowleri in the parish water system.
8-year-old Louisiana girl dies from brain-eating amoeba infection
Lillian Smart, an 8-year-old girl from Ruston, Louisiana, died on Saturday from an infection caused by Naegleria fowleri, a brain-eating amoeba. She died one day after celebrating her eighth birthday. Lillian had been hospitalized in the pediatric intensive care unit after contracting the amoeba while swimming in Lake Claiborne in northern Louisiana.
Naegleria fowleri causes primary amebic meningoencephalitis with 97% fatality rate
Naegleria fowleri is a microscopic amoeba that causes primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), an extremely rare brain infection that develops when contaminated water enters the nose and the amoeba travels to the brain. About 97% of people who develop PAM die from the infection. Symptoms typically begin with headache, fever, nausea and vomiting before progressing to stiff neck, seizures and coma, generally appearing about five days after infection. The disease can lead to death within one to two weeks. The amoeba is not found in saltwater or properly chlorinated swimming pools and cannot cause infection if swallowed.
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2 alternative perspectives
Naegleria fowleri detected in US National Parks and warm freshwater bodies
Brain-eating amoeba detected in National Parks; North Carolina teen critically ill.
CDC confirms two primary amebic meningoencephalitis cases across US
CDC confirms two primary amebic meningoencephalitis cases nationally with 97% fatality rate.
Louisiana child dies from rare brain-eating amoeba infection
Louisiana child dies from rare brain-eating amoeba; pathogen detected in lake water.