A 71-year-old woman in Texas has died after contracting a rare infection caused by the brain-eating amoeba Naegleria fowleri while using tap water for nasal irrigation at an RV campground. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the patient developed symptoms such as fever, headache, and altered mental status within four days of using non-boiled tap water.
The CDC confirmed that the woman had Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM) infection, a condition that is usually fatal. The investigation found that the amoeba was present in her cerebrospinal fluid. Naegleria fowleri is a one-celled organism found in freshwater lakes, rivers, and hot springs.
The CDC warns that using non-boiled tap water for nasal irrigation can lead to PAM infection. In fact, nearly everyone who gets PAM dies from it. The agency advises the public to take precautions when using fresh water for swimming or recreational activities:
* Hold your nose or wear a nose clip while jumping into fresh water
* Keep your head above water in hot springs
* Avoid digging in shallow water where the amoeba may be present
* Use distilled or boiled tap water for nasal irrigation
The CDC has reported 164 cases of PAM in the US between 1962 and 2023, with only four patients surviving. The Texas Department of State Health Services attributed the woman’s death to using non-boiled tap water for nasal irrigation on several occasions.
Source: https://fox5sandiego.com/news/woman-dies-from-brain-eating-amoeba-after-using-tap-water-to-clear-sinuses-cdc/amp