Brain-eating Amoeba Found In Water Supply In Southeast Texas

A brain-eating amoeba was found in the water supply in Southeast Texas over the weekend after a 6-year-old boy died.

Residents in Freeport, Angleton, Brazoria, Richwood, Oyster Creek, Clute, Rosenberg, and Lake Jackson were advised not to use their tap water after the microbe naegleria fowleri was found in water sourced from the Brazos River. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality tested the water on Friday after 6-year-old Josiah McIntyre was hospitalized and died earlier this month from the amoeba.

Naegleria fowleri can be found in soil and warm fresh water, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported. It enters a person's body through the nose and travels to the brain where it can cause deadly inflammation. Contracting the amoeba is incredibly rare. There have only been 36 known cases in Texas since 1962.

Governor Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for Brazoria County on Sunday. As of Monday morning, residents in all of the effected cities can use their water, but Lake Jackson is still under a boil water advisory, according to the TCEQ.

TCEQ believes that Josiah came in contact with the deadly amoeba at a splash pad in Lake Jackson or a hose at his family's home, KHOU reported. Lake Jackson and TCEQ are flushing and disinfecting the city's water system to make it safe, AP reported.

Photo: Getty Images