Eight-year-old dies after contracting rare brain-eating amoeba in Louisiana

The Guardian Health Sunday 23 August 2026, 22:17 UTC By Marina Dunbar 1 min read

Key Points

Lillian Smart of Ruston infected with fatal Naegleria fowleri, likely after swimming in Lake Claiborne, health officials sayAn 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 celebrating her birthday, her family announced in a public Facebook post on the “Love for Lillian” page.

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 celebrating her birthday, her family announced in a public Facebook post on the “Love for Lillian” page.

Louisiana (LOCATION) Lillian Smart (PERSON) Ruston (ORG) Naegleria (ORG) Lake Claiborne (LOCATION) Facebook (ORG) Lillian (PERSON)

Originally published by The Guardian Health Read original →

Eight-year-old dies after contracting rare brain-eating amoeba in Louisiana

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