12-Year-Old With 'Brain- Eating' Infection 'Seems to Be Getting Worse'
After hundreds of prayers from friends, family and well-wishers, the parents of a 12-year-old Florida boy infected with a rare and deadly "brain-eating" condition are now asking for a miracle as their son's health "seems to be getting worse."
Young Zachary Reyna was diagnosed with the deadly infection Naegleri fowleri, commonly known as the "brain-eating amoeba" at the Miami Children's Hospital last weekend. The amoeba, according to the CDC "can cause a rare and devastating infection of the brain called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM)."
While the CDC notes that only 1 person out of 128 known infected individuals in the United States from 1962 to 2012 has survived, multiple media reports say three persons are known to have survived the infection and it is hoped that Zachary will be the fourth.
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Despite their hope and prayers, however, Zachary's parents appear to believe that nothing short of a miracle can save their son now.
"We are still in the storm and it seems to be getting worse. It's time for everyone to look at your own lives and question yourselves if you are right with The Lord," wrote Zachary's parents in a Facebook post on Thursday to people who have been praying for her son.
"We love you all and this has opened our eyes more than I can explain. We have found peace through all of this and it's God filling our hearts with His love. How ironic, Zac is spreading this infection of love while he battles his own. I'm so proud of him. He's God's soldier. He's awesome. Keep praying for a miracle," they wrote.
Nearly 200 people showed up at a prayer vigil in Zachary's Labelle community in Florida on Thursday in support of the boy and his family according to ABC 7. Some $3,000 was also raised to help the family with expenses in less than two hours.
"I am praying, praying, praying with my whole heart!!!!! Day and night I am praying for Zach, talking to Jesus about Zach and speaking healing scriptures over Zach in Jesus name!!!! By Jesus stripes Zachary is healed!!!! Zachary will live and not die and he will declare the works of the Lord... Hold those scriptures in your heart and never lose hope!!!! All things are possible with God!!" wrote Amy Barbera in support of the boy Facebook.
"Because of Zachary people from all over are coming together in the name of Jesus Christ. He has done more to glorify God than some have done in a long lifetime. Let us all hold that closeness to God and continue to pray for Zachary," wrote Pat Langford.
ABC-7.com WZVN News for Fort Myers, Cape Coral
