A Missouri resident is hospitalized with a rare, deadly brain-eating infection, possibly contracted after waterskiing in the Lake of the Ozarks. Health officials confirmed the infection is caused by Naegleria fowleri, an ameba found in warm freshwater. While extremely rare, with only 167 reported US cases since 1962, the infection is often fatal within days. Authorities advise avoiding warm freshwater activities, using nose clips, and staying submerged. This follows a recent death from the same infection in South Carolina.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.