A memorial playground was dedicated Thursday morning to a young Astros fan killed by a rare amoeba.

HOUSTON – In September, news broke that a brain-eating amoeba was responsible for the death of a 6-year-old Lake Jackson boy. Just how rare is it to be infected with a brain-eating amoeba? Source of exposureAuthorities said that McIntye came in contact with the amoeba (also called naegleria fowleri) from the public drinking water. According to the CDC, males made up 75% of the cases and they were predominantly between 5 and 14 years old. source:CDCAre neighborhoods testing their drinking water?

According to the CDC, the organisms are usually found in warm freshwater, warm water discharge from industrial or power plants, geothermal well water, poorly maintained pools, water heaters and the soil. According to the CDC, the amoeba can cause a rare but devastating infection of the brain called primary amebic meningoencephalitis, also known as PAM. According to the CDC, people do not get infected by drinking water that is contaminated with the amoeba. The first stage symptoms include a severe frontal headache, fever, nausea and vomiting. The second stage symptoms include a stiff neck, seizures, an altered mental state, hallucinations and coma.