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 lawyer for the family of 12-year-old Jaysen Carr said he died on July 18 after contracting a deadly infectious amoeba while swimming in a reservoir.