Ruston child hospitalized with brain-eating amoeba

By: Wesley Muller

Outlets: Louisiana Illuminator

Published: August 19, 2026

Words: 276

Last Updated: 2 weeks, 5 days ago

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A Ruston child has been hospitalized with a brain-eating amoeba that she might have contracted while swimming in a North Louisiana lake, state and local health officials reported Wednesday.

In a news release Wednesday morning, the Louisiana Department of Health confirmed a resident was infected with Naegleria fowleri, a pathogen that feeds on brain tissue. Infections are extremely rare but almost always fatal. The patient likely acquired the infection while swimming in …

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