Family devastated after US boy, 7, dies from brain-eating amoeba

David Pruitt died from primary amoebic meningoencephalitis on August 7
David Pruitt died from primary amoebic meningoencephalitis on August 7 Photo credit: Givealittle

A seven-year-old US boy has died after contracting an extremely rare brain-eating amoeba.

David Pruitt died from primary amoebic meningoencephalitis on August 7, his aunt Crystal Hayley confirmed on Friday.

Hayley set up a Givealittle page to raise money for his care - then his funeral.

Pruitt was rushed to the hospital in late June and placed in intensive care on life support due to swelling in his brain, according to the page's description.

He caught the infection after swimming in a northern California lake, 7 News reports.

Caused by the parasite Naegleria fowleri entering the body through the ears, mouth or nose the infection is extremely rare with just 10 cases reported in California since 1971.

However once infected the prognosis is dire - fewer than three percent of people who contract the infection survive.

There are only four survivors of 148 known infections between 1962 and 2019, according to the CDC.

The amoebas enter the brain and cause a rare form of meningitis which is very difficult to treat. As soon as people begin to show symptoms it's very unlikely they will survive.

Pruitt's family says they are "broken-hearted" by their son's death - but glad he is no longer suffering.

"He is now in the loving arms of our lord and family members who have passed before him. We are rejoicing in knowing he is no longer in pain and in the best of care."

The Givealittle has raised almost $30,000.