What to Know
When Lillian Smart began to feel sick and spiked a fever, her parents watched her symptoms closely. Within days, she began having double vision and other concerning symptoms, prompting her parents to seek medical care at Willis-Knighton South in Shreveport, Louisiana.
At first, doctors treated Lillian for bacterial meningitis, but soon realized her illness was much more serious. Lillian actually contracted Naegleria fowleri, a rare and often fatal brain-eating amoeba. Lillian passed away on August 22, 2026, just one day after her 8th birthday.
Officials believe Lillian contracted the amoeba while swimming.
KNOE reported Lillian was hospitalized on August 15. Officials with the Louisiana Department of Health believe the child contracted the amoeba while swimming in Lake Claiborne.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Naegleria fowleri usually occurs after someone goes swimming or diving in a lake, river, or other fresh water during summer months. Infections often happen when it’s been hot for long periods, resulting in higher water temperatures and lower water levels.”
If water containing the amoeba goes into a person’s nose, it can travel to the brain, causing the catastrophic infection. It cannot be passed from one person to another and cannot be contracted by swallowing the amoeba.
Lillian’s family confirmed she passed away in a social media post.
Lillian’s family posted a heartbreaking message in the Facebook group Love for Lillian, confirming her death. Family said the child ran into the arms of Jesus.
“How do we put one foot in front of the other without our girl? Our foundation is still in Jesus. We didn’t get to keep our girl but we watched miracles happen on her behalf. We believe God is good. He will give us strength when we have none left. He’s given us a community of support that I don’t think can be found anywhere else in the world. Lil would have loved seeing everyone come together and she would have been right in the middle of it trying to help where she could,” the post reads.
Lillian’s family thanked her medical team for their care.
Heartbroken over the news of Lillian’s passing.
— Governor Jeff Landry (@LAGovJeffLandry) August 23, 2026
Please join Sharon and me in prayer for the Smart family and the entire Ruston community during this time. https://t.co/5jxzMbTmqy
In Lillian’s obituary, her family shared their appreciation for her doctors, nurses, and all those who cared for her in her final days. Lillian will be remembered fondly by many.
“She was bright, spirited, loving, and full of personality with a way of making every room feel a little more sparkly. Lillian loved to celebrate others, her favorite was making others feel special! Her beautiful singing voice was a gift to everyone. She will be deeply missed,” her obituary reads.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry posted a message for the family on X.
“Heartbroken over the news of Lillian’s passing. Please join Sharon and me in prayer for the Smart family and the entire Ruston community during this time,” he wrote.
The CDC recommends precautions when swimming in fresh water
To be safe, the CDC recommends holding your nose with your fingers of nose clip before jumping into the water. Additionally, keeping your head above water in hot springs and avoiding fresh water in particularly hot months is a good idea.
The CDC also advises people to avoid digging in or stirring up sediment in shallow fresh water, as Naegleria fowleri is found in the bottom of lakes and ponds.
According to the CDC, there is no way to accurately test for Naegleria fowleri. “The location and number of amoebas can vary over time within the same body of water.”
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