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Ruston family asks for prayers after 8-year-old diagnosed with brain-eating amoeba

Fadingcorroborated18 outlets reported this themselves in 68 reports over 8 days - more reporting than echo.
After publishing: 1 headline quietly rewritten, 1 URL changed2 changes
  1. nbcdfw.comseen 27 Aug, 01:48headline rewritten

    Louisiana girl, 8, dies from extremely rare brain-eating amoebaLouisiana girl, 8, dies from extremely rare brain-eating amoeba found in warm freshwater

  2. Der Spiegel (Germany)seen 27 Aug, 04:45URL changed

    now resolves towww.spiegel.de/wissenschaft/mensch/louisiana-achtjaehrige-in-den-usa-stirbt-an-infektion-mit-hirnfressender-amoebe-a-eddf4a43-8e87-46a0-b8f1-bdb5ffc18ea9#ref=rss

  1. 22 Aug, 15:07Ruston family asks for prayers after 8-year-old diagnosed with brain-eating amoeba1 outlet
  2. 23 Aug, 22:17Eight-year-old dies after contracting rare brain-eating amoeba in Louisiana2 outlets
  3. 24 Aug, 06:368-year-old dies from rare brain-eating amoeba likely contracted while swimming in Louisiana lake2 outlets
  4. 24 Aug, 10:42USA: Achtjährige stirbt an Infektion mit »hirnfressender« Amöbe1 outlet
  5. 24 Aug, 17:268-year-old Louisiana girl dies from a rare brain-eating amoeba found in warm freshwater4 outlets
  6. 28 Aug, 16:09Teenager Critically Ill After Rare Brain-Eating Amoeba Exposure1 outlet
  7. and 31 other wordings across 32 reports
original reportingcopies
Sat, 22 August 2026peak 27 reports on Fri, 28 August 2026Wed, 2 September 2026

What it is about

Ruston girlRuston familyWWLTV.comCIDRAPNOLA.comLouisianaLake ClaiborneLillian FacebookPatricia WillisLouisiana Department Of HealthLake Claiborne, Louisiana, United StatesLouisiana, United StatesThe GuardianIlluminator Ruston familyLillian SmartRustonCNNFox NewsDiego MendozaWarner Bros

Who published it, and when

original reportfirst to report
katv.com1 original report
iheart.com24 original reports
v1019.com1 original report
foxnews.com1 original report
independent.co.uk1 original report
28 Aug, 06:26over 5 days2 Sept, 13:30

40 reports left out of the cascade - too little in common with the story to place

How it spread - 61 original reports, 7 reprints

  1. Sat, 22 August 2026

    1 report
    • Google News - Top Stories15:07

      Ruston family asks for prayers after 8-year-old diagnosed with brain-eating amoeba WWLTV.com Ruston girl, 8, dies from brain-eating amoeba infection Louisiana Illuminator Eight-year-old dies after contracting rare brain-eating amoeba in Louisiana The Guardian Louisiana confirms Naegleria fowleri brain infection in resident who swam in Lake Claiborne CIDRAP Ruston girl dies after battling rare brain-eating amoeba infection NOLA.com

  2. Sun, 23 August 2026

    3 reports
    • fox8live.com16:55

      Lillian Smart, an 8-year-old girl from Ruston who rallied the community together after fighting a rare brain infection, has died.

    • Google News - Top Stories22:17

      Eight-year-old dies after contracting rare brain-eating amoeba in Louisiana The Guardian Ruston girl, 8, dies from brain-eating amoeba infection Louisiana Illuminator Ruston family asks for prayers after 8-year-old diagnosed with brain-eating amoeba WWLTV.com Louisiana confirms Naegleria fowleri brain infection in resident who swam in Lake Claiborne CIDRAP Ruston girl dies after battling rare brain-eating amoeba infection NOLA.com

    • The Guardian World22:17

      Lillian Smart of Ruston infected with fatal Naegleria fowleri , likely after swimming in Lake Claiborne, health officials say An eight-year-old Louisiana girl has died after contracting a rare, typically fatal brain-eating amoeba after a swim in Lake Claiborne. Lillian Smart, of Ruston, died on Saturday, one day after celebrating her birthday, her family announced in a public Facebook post on the “Love for Lillian” page . Continue reading...

  3. Mon, 24 August 2026

    14 reports
  4. Tue, 25 August 2026

    4 reports
    • Times of India05:13

      In a shocking turn of events, an eight-year-old girl succumbed to a rare brain-eating amoeba after swimming in a Louisiana lake. This terrifying infection, typically fatal, remains exceedingly rare with minimal reported cases by the CDC. To help reduce the chances of such infections, health authorities advise keeping water out of the nose while swimming.

    • RMF24 (Poland)07:17

      Kąpała się w jeziorze, zakaziła się amebą „zjadającą mózg”. 8-latka nie żyje

    • Il Fatto Quotidiano (Italy)08:31

      Una bambina di otto anni è morta dopo aver contratto una rara ameba mangia cervello. È accaduto a Ruston, nel nord della Louisiana (Usa). Stando a quanto riferito dalla famiglia e dalle autorità sanitarie, l ‘ipotesi è che sia stata infettata mentre nuotava in un lago vicino casa. Trasportata in ospedale e ricoverata in terapia […] L'articolo Bambina di otto anni muore dopo aver contratto l’ameba mangia cervello: aveva fatto il bagno in un lago proviene da Il Fatto Quotidiano .

    • Google News - Top Stories15:45

      8-year-old died of brain-eating amoeba. Who's most at risk? USA Today Louisiana Girl, 8, Dies After Contracting Rare Brain-Eating Amoeba The New York Times Ruston community rallies for 8-year-old fighting rare infection KNOE Louisiana resident contracts brain-eating amoeba. Here's what you need to know WDSU 8-year-old Louisiana girl dies from rare brain-eating amoeba found in warm freshwater NBC News

  5. Thu, 27 August 2026

    1 report
    • Google News - Top Stories20:54

      NC teen critically ill with amoeba found in warm, fresh water WRAL Rare brain infection linked to amoeba leaves NC teen critically ill ABC11 News Louisiana Girl, 8, Dies After Contracting Rare Brain-Eating Amoeba The New York Times Ruston community rallies for 8-year-old fighting rare infection KNOE NCDHHS: Central NC teen infected with rare brain infection caused by amoeba WRAL

  6. Fri, 28 August 2026

    27 reports
  7. Sat, 29 August 2026

    1 report
    • Google News - Top Stories23:25

      NC teen has rare brain infection likely caused by swimming. Where did exposure happen? Are you safe? WRAL North Carolina teen critically ill from rare brain-eating amoeba found in freshwater, officials say ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos North Carolina teen critically injured by rare brain-eating amoeba FOX Weather 8-year-old dies from rare brain-eating amoeba likely contracted while swimming in Louisiana lake CNN Warming waters could expand brain-eating amoeba risk WRAL

  8. Mon, 31 August 2026

    3 reports
    • Google News - Top Stories14:18

      North Carolina teen critically ill after being infected ​with rare brain-eating amoeba independent.co.uk Teen's rare brain infection prompts NC water safety warning ABC11 News NC teen has rare brain infection likely caused by swimming. Where did exposure happen? Are you safe? WRAL North Carolina teen critically ill from rare brain-eating amoeba found in freshwater, officials say ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos Brain-Eating Amoeba Infections Are Rare but Deadly. Here’s What to...

    • v1019.com17:48

      A teenager from central North Carolina is fighting for survival. The teen contracted Naegleria fowleri, a tiny organism that lives in warm freshwater and destroys brain tissue. On Thursday, the...

    • The Guardian World21:34

      Naegleria fowleri is commonly found in warm freshwater, and if it enters through the nose, can cause brain damage A North Carolina teenager has died after contracting a rare and often fatal brain-eating amoeba. The state’s health department (NCDHHS) confirmed the boy’s death on Monday, saying: “NCDHHS has been informed that the teen who developed a rare illness, caused by Naegleria fowleri died on Aug. 31, 2026. We extend our condolences to the family, friends and community impacted by this...

  9. Tue, 1 September 2026

    6 reports
    • Google News - Top Stories14:56

      North Carolina teen dies after contracting rare brain-eating amoeba found in freshwater: Officials ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos North Carolina teenager infected with brain-eating amoeba has died The Seattle Times North Carolina teenager dies from rare brain-eating amoeba infection theguardian.com NCDHHS: Central NC teen infected with rare brain infection caused by amoeba WRAL North Carolina teen dies after contracting rare brain-eating amoeba WCNC

    • Google News - Top Stories15:26

      NC teen dies after getting a brain-eating amoeba WRAL North Carolina teen dies after contracting rare brain-eating amoeba found in freshwater: Officials ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos NC teen dead after contracting rare brain-eating amoeba found in freshwater health officials confirm ABC7 Chicago North Carolina teenager dies from rare brain-eating amoeba infection The Guardian NCDHHS: Central NC teen infected with rare brain infection caused by amoeba WRAL

    • Google News - Top Stories18:54

      North Carolina teenager infected with brain-eating amoeba has died The Seattle Times Teen dies from ‘brain-eating amoeba’ just days after young girl succumbs to same rare infection Fox News North Carolina teen dies after contracting brain-eating amoeba WSOC TV North Carolina teen dies after contracting rare brain-eating amoeba WCNC Physician warns of brain-eating amoeba risks, shares prevention guidance Yahoo

    • foxnews.com19:56

      A North Carolina teen's first symptom was severe headaches before a brain-eating amoeba infection proved fatal, his mother shared on GoFundMe.

    • Google News - Top Stories19:56

      Teen dies from ‘brain-eating amoeba’ just days after young girl succumbs to same rare infection Fox News North Carolina teenager dies from rare brain-eating amoeba infection The Guardian North Carolina teenager infected with brain-eating amoeba has died The Seattle Times Second Child Infected with Brain-Eating Amoeba Following Death of 8-Year-Old people.com NC teen dies after getting a brain-eating amoeba WRAL

    • Google News - Top Stories22:09

      NC teen dead after contracting rare brain-eating amoeba found in freshwater health officials confirm ABC11 News North Carolina teen dies after contracting rare brain-eating amoeba WCNC North Carolina teen dies after contracting ‘brain-eating amoeba’ WBTV North Carolina teen dies of brain-eating amoeba infection FOX 2 Teen critically ill after contracting rare brain-eating amoeba often found in freshwater The Independent

  10. Wed, 2 September 2026

    1 report

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