A rare brain-eating amoeba infection killed a 12-year-old child in after he swam in a South Carolina freshwater lake. Health officials emphasize safety measures, experts warn about Naegleria fowleri risk in summer waters.

A child in South Carolina has died after being infected with Naegleria fowleri, commonly referred to as brain-eating amoeba. State health officials confirm exposure likely came from Lake Murray the week of July 7.

A 12-year-old boy died after he contracted a brain-eating amoeba while swimming in a South Carolina lake. Jaysen Carr came into contact with the deadly amoeba Naegleria fowleri at Lake Murray, a large man-made lake just outside of Columbia,