An Ohio teen has died after contracting a brain-eating amoeba while swimming in freshwater.
The 18-year old girl contracted meningoencephalitis while on a church outing. The local public health agency is investigating.
Meningoencephalitis is not contagious, but there are several different types of the disease -- all of which affect the brain.
Officials aren't sure of the exact location where the infection occurred, but they do not believe it happened in Ohio because the woman had not been swimming in the state during the 1-to-7 incubation period.
The scientific name for the amoeba is naegleria fowleri and it is naturally found in bodies of warm freshwater lakes and rivers, as well as in hot springs, naturally-hot drinking water sources and poorly-maintained and/or un-chlorinated swimming pools.
It can be found around the world. Between 1962 and 2014, 133 infections have been reported in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Symptoms include headache, fever and a loss of appetite.
The CDC says infection can be prevented by avoiding freshwater activities when water temperatures are high. If you do go in, hold your nose and avoid disturbing sediment in shallow water.