8-year-old girl dies after being infected by rare brain-eating amoeba

The devastated family of an 8-year-old girl has spoken out to try and warn others of the danger after she died of an infection caused by a rare amoeba that is found in warm freshwater

Lillian Smart died over the weekend, after being infected by Naegleria fowleri amoeba, reported Kyle Roberts, a spokesperson for her family.

Local authorities have warned the amoeba lives in freshwater around the U.S.

Infections can occur when water shoots up the nose, and the amoeba can travel up into the brain, causing an infection that is nearly always fatal.

Lillian's parents, Daniel and Rebecca Smart, shared the tragic news on Facebook on Sunday.

"Last night Lillian ran from our arms to the arms of Jesus," they began.

"The injuries to her brain were too severe for her little body to recover from. Everyone did everything they could to keep her here."

The little girl died after contracting a rare 'brain-eating amoeba' that she is believed to have caught while swimming in a lake (facebook/love for lillian)

They talked about their faith, before adding "We are heartbroken and honestly do not know what to do next. How do we put one foot in front of the other without our girl?"

The family had set up a page called Love for Lillian, where they shared updates of her progress.

Previous entries stated the little girl had experienced swelling in her brain due to the infections: "The doctors spoke to us yesterday about the extent of the swelling Lillian has as a result of the parasite. It is significant."

Lillian had been admitted to hospital earlier this month after experiencing a fever and double vision, according to a Facebook post by her mum.

She tragically died just a day after her birthday.

There are less than 10 confirmed cases of the amoeba every year in the US.

The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed the first confirmed Naegleria fowleri infection since 2013, and they said it was believed that the infection was most likely caught while swimming in Lake Claiborne in north Louisiana.

The amoeba causes a fatal infection known as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, sometimes referred to as PAM.

The health department warned that the infection can cause severe headaches, fever and vomiting that progresses to a stiff neck, seizures and a coma.

Her family has spoken out to raise awareness of the condition and to warn others (facebook/love for lillian)

However, the condition is very rare, and between 1937 and 2025, only around 180 infections have been confirmed in the U.S.

The agency has urged swimmers to keep their heads out of the water.

Other advice includes plugging or blocking their noses while swimming.

People are also being warned not to dig up or disturb sediment while taking part in water-based activities.

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry wrote on X: "Heartbroken over the news of Lillian's passing."

​Members of the local community in Ruston had held a Love for Lillian fundraiser last week.

​“She’s just always a happy child, every time you see her, she has a smile on her face.” a local business owner told KNOE.

Louisiana senator John Kennedy said he is 'heartbroken' at the news of Lillian’s passing.

​“Our hearts and prayers are with Lillian’s family, Ruston and all of Louisiana as we mourn this sweet little girl,” he wrote. “May God comfort her family and give them strength in the days ahead.”