The parents of Jaysen Carr, a 12-year-old who died July 18 from a brain-eating amoeba after swimming in a South Carolina lake ...

Naegleria fowleri, the rare, but deadly, so-called brain-eating amoeba, can be found in Pennsylvania's waters.

The family of a 12-year-old South Carolina boy who died after contracting a rare infection associated with Naegleria fowleri ...

The family of 12-year-old Jaysen Carr is speaking out about the child's recent passing from a brain-eating amoeba in an ...

Infections caused by Naegleria fowleri can lead to symptoms including fever, seizures, hallucinations and death.

A 12-year-old South Carolina boy has died after being infected by a rare, brain-eating amoeba found in freshwater.

"The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) was made aware of Naegleria fowleri in our state on the week of July 7.

The infection destroys brain tissue, which is why the infection is commonly referred to as a brain-eating amoeba.

Jaysen Carr, a Hand Middle School student, died July 18 after being exposed to Naegleria fowleri while swimming in Lake ...

Brain-eating amoeba Naegleria fowleri protozoans in trophozoite form. Getty Images The boy's death in Nevada comes after at least two other cases reported in 2022.

Naegleria fowleri is commonly referred to as the "brain-eating amoeba" because it destroys brain tissue, causing brain swelling and usually death, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health.

Naegleria fowleri occurs naturally in freshwater bodies, such as lakes, rivers, and hot springs. While infectionsare rare, they occur mainly during the warmer months of July, August, and September.