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Louisiana health officials warn about rare amoeba infections after certain tap water use
ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos • • health
Key Points:
- The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) has reported 10 cases of rare Acanthamoeba infections since 2024, including eight cases of Acanthamoeba keratitis, an eye infection that can cause permanent vision loss, mostly affecting contact lens users.
- Two recent infections involved the sinuses and brain, with the brain infection being fatal in an immunocompromised patient who used tap water in nasal irrigation devices.
- Acanthamoeba is a free-living amoeba found in water and soil, and while most people do not get sick, it can cause serious infections, particularly in those with weakened immune systems or contact lens users.
- The LDH advises using distilled, sterile, or boiled water for nasal rinsing and proper contact lens hygiene, including avoiding tap water for cleaning or storing lenses and removing lenses before swimming or showering.
- A health advisory has been issued to Louisiana healthcare providers to raise awareness, promote early detection, and reinforce prevention measures against Acanthamoeba infections.
