The Florida Department of Health confirmed Wednesday a case of the brain-eating amoeba in Broward county.
Health officials believe the person contracted the infection after swimming in unsanitary water on a single private property. The location where the person was exposed was not immediately disclosed but officials say they are investigating the body of water.
The patient is currently receiving treatment at a hospital.
The scientific term for the brain-eating amoeba is Naegleria fowleri. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say the bacteria is commonly found in warm freshwater such as lakes and rivers and can be fatal.
