ORLANDO, Fla. -- Hours after health officials announced that a 10-year-old died from contracting amoebic encephalitis while swimming in a lake, sources confirmed that the medical examiner's office is investigating a third possible death from a deadly waterborne amoeba.

Wednesday, Orange County Health Department officials reported that Richard Almeida, 10, of Kissimmee died from a rare amoebic illness. Richard was the second boy confirmed to have contracted the illness after swimming in a lake.

"It now has happened twice in Central Florida this year," a health official said. "And therefore, we need to ramp up the precautions for using nose plugs and taking all precautions when swimming in the lakes and doing water sports."

The Orange County Health Department did not identify the lake where Richard contracted the amoeba.

However, the owner of the Orlando Water Sports Complex said he was contacted by the Orange County Health Department and told to post signs warning of the deadly amoeba. The victim was believed to have visited the popular park.

Officials said the boy had been participating in water events in several lakes recently.

After the announcement, the Orange County Health Department confirmed a possible third case.

A 14-year-old died in June after swimming in a Central Florida lake, WKMG reported.

Officials are awaiting test results to determine if the teen's death is a different strain of the two fatal cases confirmed this summer.

Residents Warned About Lakes

Meanwhile, health officials warned residents to be extremely cautious in lakes and other bodies of water.

Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty said the safest thing people can do is stay out of the water.

The Florida Department of Health along with the Osceola and Orange County Health Departments are conducting the investigation into at least one of the deaths.

11-Year-Old Dies After Swim

In August, Will Sellars, 11, died after contracting amoebic encephalitis, or acute swelling of the brain

Health officials said that there is an increased risk of infection by the organism in all freshwater areas throughout Florida, especially during summer months when the water temperature exceeds 80 degrees.

Water sports or activities such as wakeboarding, water skiing, swimming or diving puts people at a greater risk, officials said.

Health officials are urging residents to take precautions.

Wear nose clips or hold your nose when swimming, jumping or diving in any fresh water -- Closed nostrils reduce your risk of infection by amoebic encephalitis, a rare but life-threatening condition.

Do not swim in warm standing water, such as ponds, lakes, storm water retention areas or in areas posted "No Swimming" -- Bacteria and other harmful organisms thrive in warm, standing water. Seek prompt medical attention if you become ill after swimming in freshwater.

Avoid areas with obvious algal blooms -- Contact may cause skin rash, runny nose and burning eyes.

Every year health experts issue warnings to educate the public about the amoeba that thrives in all fresh water bodies when the water temperature rises. Naegleria is a microscopic amoeba most commonly found in the upper layer of sediment in the bottom of lakes and ponds with mud floors.

Symptoms include headache, fever, nausea and vomiting, stiff neck, confusion, lack of attention to people and surroundings, loss of balance and bodily control, seizures and hallucinations.

The amoeba invades the brain and the disease progresses rapidly, usually resulting in death within three to seven days. The infection cannot be spread from person to person or contracted from a properly maintained swimming pool.

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