Louisiana Officials Warn Against Tap Water Use for Contacts After Fatal Infection

Health officials in Louisiana are issuing an urgent warning against using tap water to rinse contact lenses or nasal passages due to the risk of infection from the amoeba Acanthamoeba. The state's Department of Health reported 10 such infections since the beginning of 2024, with five resulting in vision loss and one leading to a fatal brain infection.

All affected individuals were infected with Acanthamoeba. Eight of the infections were linked to Acanthamoeba keratitis, a severe infection of the cornea. The two cases this year involved nasal irrigation devices and affected patients with weakened immune systems; one of these cases proved fatal.

While identifying details of the deceased were not released, health officials emphasized the potential severity of these rare infections. "Although these infections are rare, they can have devastating consequences," stated Theresa Sokol, state epidemiologist. "Using the right water for nasal rinsing, following proper contact lens hygiene, and taking precautions with medical devices can help reduce the risk. These steps are especially important for people with weakened immune systems."

Officials noted that the reported use of tap water does not definitively establish it as the source but highlights the importance of safe water practices. Drinking tap water is not considered a risk for Acanthamoeba infection, but it should not be used for nasal rinsing or cleaning/storing contact lenses. Boiling and cooling tap water before nasal irrigation is recommended, and contact lens wearers are advised to use only recommended contact lens solutions. Removing contact lenses before swimming, showering, or using hot tubs is also advised.

Acanthamoeba is a microorganism that can survive standard water treatment processes and is found in freshwater lakes, swimming pools, soil, dust, and HVAC systems. While harmless to ingest, it can cause serious infections when it enters the eyes or invades the body through the sinuses, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.

Acanthamoeba keratitis affects an estimated 800 to 1,500 individuals annually in the U.S., typically causing severe eye pain, redness, blurred vision, and potentially vision loss. Non-keratitis infections, such as granulomatous amebic encephalitis (brain infection) and Acanthamoeba rhinosinusitis (sinus infection), are rarer, affecting a smaller number of people each year but carrying high mortality rates. The CDC reports 20 to 30 cases of brain infections and three to 12 sinus infections annually in the U.S. Non-keratitis infections have a mortality rate between 80% and 100% and primarily affect those with weakened immune systems.

Louisiana health officials have issued an advisory to healthcare providers to increase awareness of these infections and urge individuals experiencing concerning symptoms, such as seizures, confusion, headaches, or sinus and visual disturbances, to seek immediate medical attention.