Highlighting a hidden danger lurking in American water systems, a Texas woman was killed by a brain-eating amoeba after using tap water for nasal rinsing.
The 71-year-old victim contracted the fatal infection from water in her RV at a Texas campground.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that the woman died from primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM).
PAM is a rare but deadly infection caused by Naegleria fowleri. This dangerous amoeba entered her brain after she used untreated tap water in a nasal irrigation device.
Within just four days of using the device, she developed severe neurological symptoms including fever, headache, and mental confusion.
Despite medical intervention, her condition deteriorated quickly. The woman experienced seizures and died just eight days after her initial symptoms appeared.
Testing of her cerebrospinal fluid confirmed the presence of the deadly amoeba, which has a fatality rate approaching 100%.
The infection source was traced to the water system of her recently purchased RV at a Texas campground.
Investigators found she had used non-boiled water directly from the RV’s potable water faucet multiple times for nasal rinsing.
Either the RV’s pre-filled water tank or the connected municipal water system could have contained the deadly amoeba.
“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 health agency stated.
While the infection is rare, with fewer than 10 cases reported annually in the United States, the incident raises alarming questions about the safety of the water supply.
Naegleria fowleri thrives in warm freshwater environments, particularly during summer months, and becomes more concerning as climate patterns shift.
The CDC warns that infection occurs when contaminated water enters the nose, not through drinking or person-to-person contact.
Initial symptoms mimic common illnesses but quickly progress to confusion, stiff neck, and seizures.
Most victims die between one and 18 days after infection, with an average survival time of just five days.
The CDC recommends using only distilled, sterile, or previously boiled and cooled tap water for nasal irrigation.
Additionally, Americans who use recreational waters should also take precautions.
These include holding their noses or wearing nose clips when swimming in lakes, rivers, or insufficiently chlorinated pools, where this deadly amoeba naturally occurs.
Treatment options for this nearly always fatal infection are limited, though antifungal medications and antibiotics are sometimes used.
The drug miltefosine has shown some effectiveness in laboratory tests, but prompt medical attention remains crucial for any chance of survival.
