South Carolina health officials confirmed a pediatric death from Naegleria fowleri, a rare brain-eating amoeba. The likely exposure occurred at Lake Murray, but the amoeba is naturally present in warm freshwater. While infection is rare, the fatality rate is over 97%. The amoeba enters the body through the nose, so officials advise holding your nose, using nose clips, or keeping your head above water while swimming. There's no evidence of person-to-person transmission, and the risk to the public remains low.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.