Lake Parasite Kills Arlington Boy

ARLINGTON, Texas - A 7-year-old Arlington boy died over the weekend after contracting a parasitic ameba while swimming in the Paluxy River on a camping trip in Glen Rose.

Health officials said Kyle Lewis was infected by Naegleria fowleri, an ameba that lives in most fresh water rivers, lakes, ponds or pools that have not been treated with chlorine.

Although infections are rare, they are believed to occur when water containing the ameba is forced up the nose when diving, jumping or skiing. Symptoms usually include headache, high fever, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting and often death.

Only 10 such cases have been reported in Texas since 2000, health officials said.

Still, officials encourage people to take precautions during the Labor Day weekend. Swimmers should avoid stagnant water and pinch their nose before skiing or jumping into any water.

Lewis was reportedly a student at Ashworth Elementary. Grief councilors were at the school Monday for his classmates.