12-year old Zachary Reyna passed away over the weekend after being diagnosed with Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP), PAM is caused by a brain eating parasite called Naegleria fowleri.

Reyna is among the very few who contracted the brain eating parasite. According to CDCP, there were only 31 documented cases of PAM from the year 2003 to 2012.

Reyna reportedly contracted the disease after knee boarding with his friends in a water-filled ditch near his family's home in LaBelle, Fla., says the Examiner.

Last month, another 12-year old, Kali Hardig of Benton, Ark. was also diagnosed with the disease. Unlike Reyna, Hardig is currently recovering from the sickness.

According to the Christian Post, Hardig received an experimental drug to help with PAM weeks ago. Reyna also received the same experimental drug last Wednesday.

However, PAM took its toll on Reyna's body, and his family posted an update regarding his passing on Pray4number4, a Facebook account dedicated to the young boy. The post read:

"At 1:54 today there was a crack of a bat heard. Zac took it deep. My boy hit his homerun. One that I'll never forget. I'm so proud of him... The battle is over for Zac but he won the war."

Although Reyna passed away, his parents take pride in the fact that their son will still be able to help people in need. His parents announced the decision to donate his organs to people in need. The notification was posted on Facebook an hour after announcing his passing.

According to CDPC, PAM is contracted when the amoeba, Naegleria fowleri, enters the body through the nose. Naegleria fowleri is usually found in bodies of warm freshwater such as lakes and rivers, geothermal or naturally hot water such as hot springs, warm water discharge from industrial plants, geothermal drinking water sources, swimming pools that are poorly maintained, minimally chlorinated and/or not chlorinated, water heaters and soil. The amoeba thrives in warmer temperatures -- approximately 46 degrees Celsius.

Initial symptoms for PAM may include headache, fever, nausea, or vomiting. Later symptoms can include stiff neck, confusion, lack of attention to people and surroundings, loss of balance, seizures, and hallucinations. After the start of symptoms, the disease progresses rapidly and usually causes death within about five days (range one to 12 days), says CDPC.

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