In a heartrending turn of events, an 8-year-old girl named Lillian Smart has succumbed to a rare and deadly infection caused by the Naegleria fowleri amoeba, commonly referred to as a 'brain-eating' amoeba. The unfortunate incident occurred over the weekend in Louisiana, where Lillian was diagnosed with the infection. Health authorities have reported that this microscopic organism thrives in warm freshwater bodies across the United States and can penetrate the nasal passage, causing a nearly always fatal brain infection. On average, fewer than 10 cases of such infections are reported annually in the U.S., according to health department statistics. Lillian's parents, Daniel and Rebecca Smart, announced her passing on Facebook, stating that her injuries were too severe for recovery. The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed a recent case of Naegleria fowleri infection within the state, marking the first such case since 2013. The department did not disclose Lillian's identity, citing privacy policies. It is believed that Lillian contracted the infection while swimming in Lake Claiborne in north Louisiana. The amoeba can lead to a fatal condition known as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis when water carrying the amoeba enters the nasal passage and reaches the brain. Since 1937, only around 180 confirmed cases have been reported in the U.S., with the majority of these being fatal. The infection does not spread from person to person. Naegleria fowleri is found in freshwater lakes, rivers, canals, and ponds throughout the U.S., and becomes dangerous when water temperatures surpass 77 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius). Recently, a few cases have been reported in states such as Maryland, Indiana, and Minnesota. Despite this, there is no routine environmental test for Naegleria fowleri in bodies of water. Last year, another tragic case was reported in South Carolina involving a 12-year-old boy who also died from the amoeba infection. Brook, a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative, is reporting on this undercovered issue as part of a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on important but overlooked topics.