OLATHE — A celebration of life was Monday for a 9-year-old Spring Hill girl who died from a rare bacterial infection she received from swimming in a lake. Hally “Bug” Yust died last week from primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, which is caused by naegleria fowleri, according to her family and the Kansas Dept. of Health and Environment. Naegleria fowleri is also known as the “brain-eating amoeba” and is found in warm, stagnant areas of freshwater lakes or streams. Officials don’t know exactly where she contracted the infection. An avid water skiier, hally frequently swam in Hillsdale Lake, but she was also in other Kansas lakes just before her death. The KDHE said it’s likely that Hally got the infection when lake water got up her nose and the bacteria got into her brain. This is the second known death caused by naegleria fowleri in Kansas. The first case occurred in 2011. There have been 132 cases reported in the U.S., with 34 of those cases occurring from 2004 to 2013. Most cases have occurred in southern states. Bruce Funeral Home was in charge.
Tuesday, July 15, 4 p.m.
