We are heartbroken and honestly do not know what to do next,” Lillian Smart’s parents wrote on Facebook, announcing the death of their 8-year-old daughter.

RUSTON, La. — A young girl from Louisiana died days after her 8th birthday following a battle with a rare brain-eating amoeba.
Health officials confirmed Lillian Smart contracted Naegleria fowleri, a rare and often deadly brain-eating amoeba, likely after swimming in Lake Claiborne, approximately 60 miles northeast of Shreveport.

Lillian quickly became sick last week. What started as a fever Thursday, Aug. 20 progressed to double vision and other concerning symptoms by Saturday, according to a post made by her mother, Rebecca Smart.
Lillian’s parents, Daniel and Rebecca Smart, took her to Shreveport hospital Willis-Knighton South, where doctors initially diagnosed her with bacterial meningitis after a spinal tap. Doctors soon determined she was dealing with a Naegleria fowleri infection, according to the fundraiser.
In a Facebook post from Sunday, Lillian’s parents described the little girl’s condition as too severe to recover from.
“Everyone did everything they could to keep her here. We are heartbroken and honestly do not know what to do next. How do we put one foot in front of the other without our girl?” Lillian’s parents wrote.

The Smart family is asking for prayers as they navigate the unimaginable loss.

“Pray for our boys. They are going to need it so much. Pray for our friends and family, they are so sad and somehow still showing up for us. Pray for us, we won’t be able to do this without it,” Lillian’s family wrote.
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry and Sen. John Kennedy both offered their condolences over the weekend. Kennedy called Lillian a “sweet little girl.”
What is Naegleria fowleri?
Naegleria fowleri is a microscopic amoeba most commonly found in warm freshwater, including lakes, rivers and canals.
The amoeba is not found in saltwater and cannot infect people through properly maintained and chlorinated pools, according to the Louisiana Department of Health. The department says the infection is extremely rare but nearly always fatal.
Symptoms typically begin with a severe headache, fever, nausea and vomiting, then can progress to a stiff neck, seizures and coma. They usually appear about five days after infection, but can develop anywhere from one to 12 days after exposure.