Young Boy from Florida Continues to Battle Brain-eating Amoeba

A 12-year old boy continues to battle brain-eating amoeba, a source told WBIR.

According to WBIR Zachary Reyna has been confined at a Miami hospital nearly two weeks after contacting an infection that slowly destroys his brain.

Zachary's family shared their thoughts and feelings on a Facebook page "Pray4Number4" saying that "we are still in the storm, and it seems to be getting worse."

According to WBIR, Zachary was just knee boarding with two of his friends who did not get contacted with the virus.

The Florida Department of Health issued a warning after the release of Zachary's diagnosis asking swimmers and those who actively engage in water sports to be aware of the dangers of amoeba, a source told WBIR.

Also in the same statement, the FDH named the virus as Naegleria Fowleri, a type of amoeba that lives in warm and fresh waters which enters the body through the nose, moving directly towards the brain.

Diane Holm, spokeswoman of Florida Department of Health informed WBIR that the months of July, August and September are the warmest months in Florida so all standing waters become warm, making them a potential host of Naegleria Fowleri.

WBIR reported Zachary's parasitic infection as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, among the 128 people infected with the disease in the United States since 1962, only one has survived.