Louisiana Girl Dies After Brain-Eating Amoeba Infection

LITTLE RUSTON, La. – An eight‑year‑old girl from Ruston, Lillian Smart, died on Saturday after contracting the rare brain‑eating amoeba *Naegleria fowleri*. Health officials say the infection likely occurred after Smart swam in Lake Claiborne, a freshwater lake in northern Louisiana. The fatal disease, which typically kills within a week of symptoms, is most commonly found in warm, freshwater bodies.

Smart’s family announced the tragic loss on the “Love for Lillian” Facebook page, noting that the child had celebrated her birthday the day before her death. The Louisiana Department of Health has confirmed the diagnosis and is investigating the incident as part of its ongoing monitoring of *Naegleria fowleri* cases in the state. Officials urge residents to exercise caution when swimming in lakes and rivers, especially during warm weather, and to seek immediate medical attention if symptoms such as severe headache, fever, or nausea appear.

The community mourns the loss of a beloved child, and state health authorities continue to review safety protocols for recreational waters to prevent future cases of this deadly infection.