ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- A medical examiner warned in July that a waterborne amoeba disease had likely killed a Central Florida boy, but health officials did not disclose the death in their public swimming alert, a Local 6 investigation revealed.

Two independent pathologists investigating the death of the first of three victims who contracted a fatal infection agreed that the 14-year-old died from a waterborne amoeba, Local 6 learned Thursday.

The medical examiner performed an autopsy on Angel Arroyo, 14, in June.

A month later it was confirmed that Arroyo died from meningitis and the medical examiner said possibly from an amoeba.

The medical examiner said she then warned the Orange County Health Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about the findings -- weeks before the first fatal case of amoebic encephalitis was confirmed in Central Florida, WKMG reported.

The case was reported after WKMG's Erik von Ancken asked about the possibility of a new case.

"We had not linked the amoeba on the slide to the death or encephalitis," Orange County Health Department representative Dr. Kevin Sherin said.

"But you knew there was a possibility?" von Ancken asked.

"We knew there was a possibility?" Sherin said.

"So, why not just put it out there?" von Ancken said.

"Well, we did by way of information to inform the public by way of media," Sherin said.

The health department warning was issued in July, but there was no mention of the death.

Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty said the death should have been mentioned if it was possible.

"If there was increased public awareness about an event that may have taken place in Orange County, that may have saved a life and that is exactly what we are trying to do," Crotty said.

"We did warn," Sherin said. "We have a duty to warn and we felt we delivered the duty to warn (and deliver) the information to the public."

The third case still needs to be confirmed by the CDC, which should take about a week.

Second Victim Swam In Different Lakes

Meanwhile, Orange County Health Department officials reported Wednesday 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.

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, the first victim, Will Sellers, 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.

Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.