Most people who come into contact with Naegleria fowleri never get sick. The amoeba can only infect a person when contaminated water goes up the nose, often during swimming or diving. It then travels to the brain, where it destroys brain tissue.

Tyler Bailey, a Columbia attorney, has been hired to conduct an independent investigation into the patient's death.

The infection destroys brain tissue, which is why the infection is commonly referred to as a brain-eating amoeba.