The infection destroys brain tissue, which is why the infection is commonly referred to as a brain-eating amoeba.

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.

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.