An elderly woman from Texas has passed away after contracting a brain-eating amoeba while rinsing her sinuses, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
The CDC revealed last Thursday that a previously healthy 71-year-old woman developed severe neurological symptoms after using a nasal irrigation device with water sourced from an RV’s water system at a Texas campground.
She received treatment for PAM but unfortunately suffered seizures and died eight days after her initial symptoms appeared, as stated by the CDC.
PAM is quite rare and almost always fatal, caused by the Naegleria fowleri amoeba. Using tap water for nasal irrigation can be a risk factor for PAM.
On average, fewer than ten people in the U.S. are infected with PAM each year, and nearly all of those cases result in death. Out of 164 known infections from 1962 to 2023, only four individuals survived.
The CDC confirmed the presence of Naegleria fowleri in the woman’s cerebrospinal fluid. Although the amoeba was not found in the RV’s water supply, the water was deemed “inadequately disinfected.”
Cases like this, while uncommon, highlight the health risks of improper use of nasal irrigation devices. To safeguard yourself, it’s essential to use distilled, sterilized, or boiled and cooled tap water when using such devices. The CDC emphasizes that these practices are vital for reducing the risk of illness.
Naegleria fowleri typically thrives in warm freshwater environments like lakes, rivers, and hot springs, which makes it critical to take precautions. The CDC suggests holding your nose or wearing a nose clip when jumping or diving into fresh water and advises keeping your head above water in hot springs. It also recommends against digging in shallow water, where the amoeba is more likely to be found.
