Louisiana Health Department Issues Tap Water Warning Following Fatal Amoeba Infection
The Louisiana Department of Health is urging residents to avoid using tap water for nasal irrigation and contact lens care following a fatal Acanthamoeba infection reported this year. State health officials confirmed that the case is one of 10 infections identified in Louisiana since 2024, prompting renewed safety warnings regarding micro-organisms found in domestic water systems.
State epidemiologist Theresa Sokol noted the severity of the recent cases in a news release. “Although these infections are rare, they can have devastating consequences,” Sokol said.
Health officials did not disclose the exact date or location of the fatality. The agency identified two serious infections this year, both occurring in patients with weakened immune systems. Both individuals reported using tap water in nasal irrigation systems, though the health department stated that tap water has not been established as the source of the Acanthamoeba.
Infection Types and Visual Impairment Risks
Of the 10 infections recorded in Louisiana since 2024, eight involved Acanthamoeba keratitis, an eye infection that can cause permanent vision loss. Seven of those eight patients wore contact lenses, and five suffered permanent vision loss, according to state data.
Outside of ocular cases, non-keratitis Acanthamoeba infections remain rare. A 2023 study cited in a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report documented fewer than 12 such cases annually across the United States, but noted a fatality rate of 82% among those infected.
The microbe thrives in various environments beyond municipal water supplies. According to the CDC, Acanthamoeba exists in garden and agricultural soil, freshwater bodies, swimming pools, humidifiers, and indoor heating and air conditioning units.
Safety Guidelines for Water Use and Hygiene
State health authorities advise residents to use distilled, sanitary, or previously boiled water when operating neti pots, sinus rinsing devices, and continuous positive airway pressure machines. Tap water is not suitable for cleaning or storing contact lenses.
Officials recommend removing contact lenses before swimming, entering a hot tub, or taking a shower. The health department emphasized that drinking tap water does not pose a risk for contracting Acanthamoeba infections.
The organism is distinct from Naegleria fowleri, commonly referred to as the brain-eating amoeba, which populates warm freshwater bodies such as lakes, ponds, rivers, and canals. In August, an 8-year-old from Ruston, Lillian Smart, died from a Naegleria infection contracted while swimming in a North Louisiana lake. Health officials report at least five deaths linked to Naegleria in the state since 2011.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the primary symptoms of Acanthamoeba keratitis?
Acanthamoeba keratitis is an eye infection that can cause permanent vision loss.
Can drinking tap water transmit the amoeba?
No, ingesting tap water does not put individuals at risk for contracting Acanthamoeba infections.
How should tap water be treated for safe sinus rinsing?
Residents should use distilled, sanitary, or previously boiled water in sinus rinsing devices or CPAP machines.
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