A child died from a brain-eating amoeba after exposure at Lake Murray, South Carolina, Prisma Richland Children's Hospital confirmed. The rare, but deadly, amoeba infects the brain, causing swelling, with a greater than 97% fatality rate. Health officials emphasize the infection is contracted when water enters the nose, not through ingestion or person-to-person contact. This is the first reported case in South Carolina since 2016, sparking concern among residents.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.