Family members have told media that Zachary Reyna, a 12 year old boy affected with Naegleria fowleri – an amoeba that causes deadly brain infections- while playing with friends near drainage in his house in LaBelle on Aug 3. He is being treated in the intensive care unit at Miami Children’s Hospital. The single-celled organism is commonly found in freshwater lakes, ponds and rivers.

The illness is extremely rare. This was identified in the early 1960’s. About 120 cases have been reported, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Zachary’s brother, Brandon Villarreal, said. “He slept all day, all night, and that’s when my mom was like, ‘Okay, something’s not right.’”

The next thing his family knew, Zac had been diagnosed with primary amoebic meningoencephalitis — also known as PAM — and was undergoing brain surgery. He is currently in intensive care at Miami Children’s Hospital.