Girl, 8, dies from 'brain-eating amoeba' she likely caught while swimming in Louisiana lake

Lillian Smart died after contracting the rare Naegleria fowleri “brain-eating amoeba”, believed to have been picked up while swimming in a Louisiana lake.

The parents of the girl announced their heartbreaking loss. 22:27, Mon, Aug 24, 2026 Updated: 22:27, Mon, Aug 24, 2026 Lillian Smart died aged 8 (Image: Love for Lillian Facebook via AP)An 8-year-old girl in Louisiana has died after being infected by an extremely rare "brain-eating amoeba" that is found in warm freshwa

Lillian Smart, 8, has died after being infected by an extremely rare brain-eating amoeba that is found in warm freshwater, her family said.

An 8-year-old girl in Louisiana has died after being infected by an extremely rare brain-eating amoeba that is found in warm freshwater, her family says.

An 8-year-old girl in Louisiana has died after being infected by an extremely rare brain-eating amoeba that is found in warm freshwater

An 8-year-old girl in Louisiana has died after being infected by an extremely rare brain-eating amoeba that is found in warm freshwater

8-year-old Louisiana girl dies from a rare brain-eating amoeba found in warm freshwater  AP News

8-year-old Louisiana girl dies from a rare brain-eating amoeba found in warm freshwater  Toronto Star

An eight-year-old has died after contracting a rare brain-eating amoeba believed to have been encountered while swimming in a lake near her home, her family and health officials said.

8-year-old dies from rare brain-eating amoeba likely contracted while swimming in Louisiana lake  CNN

Doctors did all they could to stop the horror brain-eating amoeba from claiming little Lillian's life, but the infection became too great for her to overcome

Lillian Smart, who health officials believe contracted a brain-eating amoeba while swimming in a northern Louisiana lake, died Saturday from an infection linked to the pathogen.

Lillian Smart's family says the 8-year-old's brain injuries were too severe to survive after contracting Naegleria fowleri while swimming in a lake.

Lillian Smart of Ruston infected with fatal Naegleria fowleri, likely after swimming in Lake Claiborne, health officials say An eight-year-old Louisiana girl has died after contracting a rare, typically fatal brain-eating amoeba after a swim in Lake Claiborne. Lillian Smart, of Ruston, died on Saturday, one day after c