12-year-old boy dies after contracting brain-eating amoeba at popular swimming spot

Naegleria fowleri often leads to death if inhaled (Getty Images)

According to the CDC, while brain infectors are rare, they are almost always fatal, with only four out of 167 surviving.

Though it typically lives in soil and warm freshwater lakes, rivers, ponds and hot springs across the planet, the CDC further warns Naegleria fowleri has been found in some poorly maintained swimming pools, splash pads and other recreational water spots – and even tap water.

In the event it goes up the nose of a human being, the condition can cause an infection in the brain known as primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM).

The agency notes early signs and symptoms of PAM include headache, fever, nausea and vomiting, and warns the infection ‘progresses rapidly’.

After exposure, most humans die within one to 18 days. The infected person typically goes into a coma first before dying after around five days afterwards.