Tragic Death of 2-Year-Old Nevada Boy Linked to Brain-Eating Amoeba

A 2-year-old child died from a brain-eating amoeba infection after visiting a hot spring in Nevada. The Naegleria fowleri amoeba, which enters the body through the nose and travels to the brain, caused a brain infection that destroyed brain tissue. This type of infection is almost always fatal. Last year, another child in Nevada died from the same amoeba. Health officials advise swimmers to assume a risk when entering warm fresh water and to take precautions such as avoiding diving, holding their noses shut, and keeping their heads above water.