Texas Girl, 10, Dies After Contracting Brain Eating Amoeba

A 10-year-old Texas girl died after contracting brain-eating amoeba while swimming in the Brazos River over Labor Day weekend, according to multiple reports.

According to a news report in NBC Dallas-Fort Worth, the girl, identified as Lily Avant, of Whitney, died nearly a week after contracting the deadly disease. The girl's family told the news station that she developed a fever about a week after going swimming.

Avant's aunt, Wendy Scott, told NBC-DFW that after seeing the doctor, it was assumed she had a virus.

"She was brought into the emergency room on Tuesday when she woke up unresponsive," Scott told NBC-DFW. "She was eyes open, she was there, but she wasn't speaking. Nothing."

A spinal tap later confirmed that the girl had brain-eating amoeba.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the amoeba can cause a rare and devastating infection of the brain, which is usually fatal. The amoeba is commonly found in warm freshwater and it typically infects people when contaminated water enters the body through the nose, the agency says.

The risk of infection is very low and between 2009-2018, there have been 34 reported infections in the U.S., according to the CDC.

Avant's family has set up an account at First National Bank in Valley Mills and Whitney for donations. Donations can also be sent through Venmo.

Read the full report via NBC Dallas-Fort Worth.