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Started By
Message
re: Ruston girl contracted brain amoeba likely from swimming in Lake Claiborne
Posted on 8/20/26 at 12:28 pm to BhamBlazeDog
Posted on 8/20/26 at 12:28 pm to BhamBlazeDog
quote:
Maybe because the majority of our recreational waterways are flowing?
Does this make a difference? Here in Charleston with the massive tides pretty much everything is brackish water, and it's very warm right now. But if the tides help that would be somewhat reassuring.
This post was edited on 8/23/26 at 9:44 am
1
Posted on 8/20/26 at 12:28 pm to shutterspeed
The directions specifically say to only use distilled water.
Posted on 8/20/26 at 12:30 pm to Chucktown_Badger
quote:
Does this make a difference? Here in Chareleston with the massive tides pretty much everything is brackish water, and it's very warm right now. But if the tides help that would be somewhat reassuring.
Answering my own question, which makes me feel a lot better:
quote:
Why Charleston's Coastal Waterways Are Safe From It
High Salinity: The amoeba only thrives in pure freshwater. Charleston Harbor, the ocean beaches, and the Intracoastal Waterway carry salt concentrations that quickly dehydrate, inactive, or kill the organism.
Brackish Tolerance Limits: While the amoeba can rarely tolerate very mild, low-salt brackish water for short periods, the high salinity of Charleston's coastal estuaries and salt marshes makes them inhospitable.
Tidal Dynamics: You are correct that water movement matters. Naegleria fowleri prefers stagnant, still, or very slow-moving water where temperatures can spike. The heavy tidal flushing in Charleston keeps the water moving and mixed, preventing the stagnant, hot conditions the amoeba requires.
Posted on 8/20/26 at 9:49 pm to Chucktown_Badger
This is so sad. Praying for her
Posted on 8/21/26 at 12:40 pm to Turnblad85
Today is Lillians 8th birthday. Prayers for her, family and med staff.
Posted on 8/21/26 at 1:10 pm to geauxskeet
Yep, there was a big article in the Ruston Leader today:
Today, Lillian Smart turns 8 years old. This
year she wanted a hairbraiding and spooky
party.
Unfortunately, she will be unable to at
tend her party as she remains in the PICU in
Shreveport fighting the effects of the Naegleria
fowleri infection, a rare condition caused by a
parasitic amoeba.
However, members of the community have
determined the party must go on and in doing
so, will help raise funds to continue to support
of the Smart family as it endures this incredibly
difficult situation.
“Our Lillian has never had a dull birthday
so we invite everyone to come and join us we
celebrate her in true Lillian fashion,” said
Morgan Garrison of Uptown Downtown.
“Let’s celebrate 8 years of Lillian, a party girl
who loves a good theme and loves a good time.”
The birthday “funraiser” will take place
from 4-6 p.m. at Uptown Downtown, 94 S.
Vienna St., in Ruston. There will be ice cream,
snocones, and cookies, along with face paint
ing, hair tinsel, balloon animals, birthday card
station, and hair braiding. All activities will
be provided by donation with cash and Venmo
accepted.
“This girl is the ultimate party girl,” Garrison added. “She lives
Medicaid director selected for national leadership institute
Louisiana Medicaid Executive Director Seth Gold is one
of only six Medicaid directors from across the country chosen to participate in the Medicaid Leadership led by the Center for Health
Care Strategies (CHCS).
Today, Lillian Smart turns 8 years old. This
year she wanted a hairbraiding and spooky
party.
Unfortunately, she will be unable to at
tend her party as she remains in the PICU in
Shreveport fighting the effects of the Naegleria
fowleri infection, a rare condition caused by a
parasitic amoeba.
However, members of the community have
determined the party must go on and in doing
so, will help raise funds to continue to support
of the Smart family as it endures this incredibly
difficult situation.
“Our Lillian has never had a dull birthday
so we invite everyone to come and join us we
celebrate her in true Lillian fashion,” said
Morgan Garrison of Uptown Downtown.
“Let’s celebrate 8 years of Lillian, a party girl
who loves a good theme and loves a good time.”
The birthday “funraiser” will take place
from 4-6 p.m. at Uptown Downtown, 94 S.
Vienna St., in Ruston. There will be ice cream,
snocones, and cookies, along with face paint
ing, hair tinsel, balloon animals, birthday card
station, and hair braiding. All activities will
be provided by donation with cash and Venmo
accepted.
“This girl is the ultimate party girl,” Garrison added. “She lives
Medicaid director selected for national leadership institute
Louisiana Medicaid Executive Director Seth Gold is one
of only six Medicaid directors from across the country chosen to participate in the Medicaid Leadership led by the Center for Health
Care Strategies (CHCS).
Posted on 8/21/26 at 5:16 pm to Turnblad85
I was told today by brother n law who lives near there she took a turn for the worse and family is having to have some tough conversations today. It’s not looking good, incredibly sad situation. Major brain swelling yesterday
Posted on 8/21/26 at 5:19 pm to Mushroom1968
quote:
she took a turn for the worse and family is having to have some tough conversations today.
That’s terrible… May God comfort them and all who love her.
Posted on 8/21/26 at 5:26 pm to Mushroom1968
quote:
was told today by brother n law who lives near there she took a turn for the worse and family is having to have some tough conversations today. It’s not looking good, incredibly sad situation. Major brain swelling yesterday
As a parent this makes me nauseous
Posted on 8/21/26 at 5:26 pm to SallysHuman
Can’t the organism get in through your mouth?
Posted on 8/21/26 at 5:31 pm to Tempratt
quote:
Can’t the organism get in through your mouth?
I’d have to look it up.. it typically gets in your nose.
Posted on 8/21/26 at 5:43 pm to Tempratt
quote:
Can’t the organism get in through your mouth?
quote:
brain amoeba
Posted on 8/21/26 at 5:50 pm to Tempratt
Did a bunch of reading on this last night. Your best chance to get it is through the porous bone that the nerves from the top of your sinuses pass through. So you probably can get it through your mouth but youd probably have to drown to do it. Easiest way for it to get there is pressurized water in your nose. It is pretty much a straight shot from your nose to that little plate full of nerves.
Posted on 8/21/26 at 5:56 pm to The Torch
God this is heartbreaking.
Posted on 8/21/26 at 5:58 pm to Mushroom1968
quote:
I was told today by brother n law who lives near there she took a turn for the worse and family is having to have some tough conversations today. It’s not looking good, incredibly sad situation. Major brain swelling yesterday
She's likely in an induced coma. Poor little girl. The only thing that would keep me going as a parent would be other children to care for.
Posted on 8/21/26 at 8:02 pm to Tempratt
Stomach acid neutralizes it there. No such defense through the nose.
Posted on 8/21/26 at 8:02 pm to Turnblad85
quote:
I don't encourage any swimming in natural waters. We find something else to do for the summer.
Chance of infection is extremely low
I spent countless summers at Lake Ouchita growing up getting thrown off a tube behind a boat and water shooting up my nose. Prayers for the young girl I hope she somehow pulls through!
Posted on 8/21/26 at 8:06 pm to LegendInMyMind
quote:
Alabama not having cases seems odd with all the surrounding states.
Lack of food for amoeba
Posted on 8/21/26 at 8:24 pm to deltaland
quote:
Lake Ouchita
Arkansas' lake Ouachita? Pretty sure that has a much lower risk of getting infected. Ai says its never been linked to an infection. Obviously is extremely rare thing but also an absolute shitload of people play in that lake. Deep clear water with rocky bottom doesn't seem to their preferred habitat. Louisiana lakes on the other hand......
Posted on 8/22/26 at 2:31 pm to Turnblad85
The fact that it's 2026 and we still do not have an effective treatment for primary amebic meningoencephalitis is an absolute embarrassment for the current state of medical science.
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