Funeral Monday for Child who died of rare brain infection

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Story Created: Jul 19, 2012 at 5:37 AM EDT

Story Updated: Jul 23, 2012 at 8:51 AM EDT

SUMTER, S.C. (WOLO) -- A rare brain infection is to blame for the death of a Sumter County boy.

The Department of Health and Environment Control says lab tests show the child was exposed to a deadly organism that is found in bodies of warm waters, such as lakes and rivers but also in soil and swimming pools that are poorly maintained.

Officials want to stress that infections in humans are extremely rare with only 32 documented cases in the US from 2001 to 2010.

For more information about this condition and what you should do if you see symptoms, click here to go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

The family has set up a Facebook page in memory of the child identified as Blake Driggers. Click here to go to that page.

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Nala said on Thursday, Jul 19 at 8:11 AM

My condolences to the family.

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