In a dramatic development, a 71-year-old Texas woman has died from using unsterilized tap water in her sinus rinse.
This tragic case highlights yet another everyday danger that Americans face from seemingly innocent activities.
Specifically, the cause of her death has been attributed to a deadly brain-eating amoeba.
The woman developed severe neurological symptoms just four days after using a nasal irrigation device filled with tap water from an RV’s water system at a Texas campground.
Despite medical treatment, she experienced seizures and died only eight days after symptoms began, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The infection was caused by Naegleria fowleri, commonly known as the “brain-eating amoeba.”
Testing confirmed the presence of this deadly parasite in the woman’s cerebrospinal fluid.
The infection, known as primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), is rare but almost always fatal once symptoms appear.
Initial symptoms included headache, nausea, fever, and vomiting, which quickly progressed to confusion, stiff neck, and ultimately seizures.
The fast deterioration shows how dangerous these infections can be when water quality standards are not properly maintained.
The investigation revealed that the woman had used non-boiled water from the RV’s potable water faucet multiple times.
The RV’s water tank, filled before purchase, might have contained contaminated water, or the municipal water system connected to it could have been the contamination source.
“This case reinforces the potential for serious health risks associated with improper use of nasal irrigation devices, as well as the importance of maintaining RV water quality and ensuring that municipal water systems adhere to regulatory standards,” the CDC stated.
The CDC advises using distilled, sterile, or boiled and cooled tap water for nasal irrigation to prevent infection.
The infection occurs when contaminated water enters the nose, not through drinking or person-to-person contact.
While treatment options for PAM include antifungal medications and antibiotics, with miltefosine showing effectiveness in lab tests, the survival rate remains incredibly low.
Death from PAM typically occurs between one and 18 days after infection, averaging just five days.
The CDC reports that “fewer than 10 people in the U.S. every year get infected — but unfortunately, most cases are fatal.”
Naegleria fowleri is more prominent in warmer months and can be contracted from swimming in freshwater.
The amoeba thrives in lakes, rivers, and hot springs, particularly during summer months when water temperatures rise.
The CDC suggests holding your nose or wearing a nose clip when jumping into fresh water and keeping your head above water in hot springs to reduce risk during recreational water activities.
The agency also recommends seeking immediate medical attention for symptoms like headache, fever, or vomiting after swimming in warm freshwater.
