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Louisiana amoeba infections leave 5 with permanent vision loss, 1 dead
WAFB • • health
Key Points:
- The Louisiana Department of Health has reported 10 Acanthamoeba infections since 2024, including one fatal brain infection, with most cases involving eye infections in contact lens wearers.
- Acanthamoeba is a free-living amoeba found in soil, water, and various environments, and while exposure is common, infections are rare but can cause severe eye, sinus, brain, and skin infections.
- Contact lens wearers are advised to practice strict hygiene, including removing lenses before swimming or showering, washing hands thoroughly, and using proper lens cleaning solutions to prevent infection.
- Symptoms of eye infections include pain, redness, blurred vision, and sensitivity to light, and early medical treatment improves outcomes; diagnosis may require specialized laboratory tests.
- Using tap water for nasal irrigation or medical devices poses a risk for sinus and brain infections, especially for immunocompromised individuals, who should use sterile, distilled, or boiled and cooled water instead.
