In 2014, Steve Smelski and his wife experienced what no parent ever wants to experience — the loss of their young son to what’s commonly known as a brain-eating amoeba.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – A patient in Hillsborough County has become infected with a rare and usually deadly brain-eating amoeba known as Naegleria fowleri, according to the Florida Department of Health. “Naegleria fowleri is found in many warm freshwater lakes, ponds and rivers in the United States, but is more common in southern states. Avoid water-related activities in warm freshwater during periods of high water temperature and low water levels. Avoid digging in or stirring up the sediment while taking part in water-related activities in shallow, warm freshwater areas. Health officials did not provide any information about the patient, where they were infected or their prognosis.