Louisiana Confirms Brain-Eating Amoeba in 7-Year-Old After Lake Claiborne Swim
Updated
Updated · outbreaknewstoday.substack.com · Aug 19
Louisiana Confirms Brain-Eating Amoeba in 7-Year-Old After Lake Claiborne Swim
3 articles · Updated · outbreaknewstoday.substack.com · Aug 19
Summary
Louisiana health officials said the Naegleria fowleri infection was confirmed in 7-year-old Lillian Smart, who local reports say is hospitalized at Willis-Knighton South.
Lake Claiborne in Claiborne Parish is the likely exposure site, with infection believed to have occurred shortly before illness while she was swimming there.
CDC-linked treatment efforts are underway, according to social media posts from the family, as the amoeba causes primary amebic meningoencephalitis, a fast-moving brain infection that is usually fatal.
Only 180 U.S. PAM cases were recorded from 1937 through 2025, including three in Louisiana, with infections typically tied to warm freshwater entering the nose during hot periods.