US Woman Dies From Brain-Eating Amoeba After Using Tap Water For Nasal Rinse

By Admin

06 Jun, 2025

In a tragic incident that has raised serious health concerns, a 71-year-old woman from Texas has died after contracting a rare brain infection caused by Naegleria fowleri, commonly known as the "brain-eating amoeba." The woman had used tap water from an RV’s supply at a Texas campground for a nasal rinse an act that likely led to her fatal infection.

Sudden Onset of Symptoms

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the woman was in good health before the incident. Within four days of using the nasal irrigation device, she began experiencing symptoms including fever, headache, and confusion. Her condition deteriorated rapidly as she developed seizures, ultimately succumbing to the infection just eight days after symptoms first appeared.

Understanding the Threat: Naegleria fowleri

Naegleria fowleri is a microscopic, free-living amoeba typically found in warm freshwater environments such as lakes, rivers, and hot springs. While it cannot cause harm if ingested orally, it can be deadly when it enters the body through the nose particularly during activities like swimming or nasal irrigation using untreated water. Once inside, the amoeba travels to the brain, causing a condition known as primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), which is nearly always fatal.

A Rare but Devastating Illness

PAM is extremely rare, with only 164 documented cases in the US between 1962 and 2023, according to the CDC. Alarmingly, only four individuals have survived the infection. In this case, although the amoeba was not directly identified in the RV’s water supply, the CDC determined the water was “inadequately disinfected,” making it a probable source of the infection.

Prevention is Key

Health officials are now urging the public to avoid using untreated tap water for sinus rinsing. For nasal irrigation, only sterile, distilled, or properly boiled and cooled water should be used. Moreover, individuals should exercise caution when swimming in warm freshwater bodies, especially during hot weather when the amoeba is most active.

This heartbreaking case is a grim reminder of the hidden dangers that can arise from seemingly routine hygiene practices. Taking proper precautions with water sources, particularly when they involve direct contact with sensitive areas like the nasal passages, is essential to avoid such rare but deadly infections.