As our stretch of 90 degree days continues, water temperatures around Central Florida are heating up.
But Saturday morning, Brevard County family is warning of a hidden danger beneath the surface.
On a hot Saturday like this no doubt countless people are going to be in fresh and brackish water launching boats or even cooling off. The family says they don’t want to discourage people from doing that but, they want them to be safe.
Courtney Nash, 16, died four years ago after her family says she did a back flip into the St. Johns River.
The amoeba is most often found growing in warm water along the shorelines of fresh water. Though rare, it can enter the body through any opening: most notably your nose, ears and eyes. It then attacks the brain. And if infected, it’s most always fatal.
"We are not trying to scare you. We want you to go out and have fun," said Patricia Nash, Courtney's mother. "Just be safe and think about it before you go in. It just takes that one time."
You won’t necessarily see signs warning about the amoeba, because the health department doesn’t test for it. They say it’s just too tough to detect. But if you are going to put your head under water, nose plugs are the safest option.