Louisiana girl, 8, dies after contracting suspected brain-eating amoeba linked to lake swim

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