In a horrifying development, a 71-year-old Texas woman has died after a deadly amoeba feasted on her brain.
The woman rinsed her sinuses with tap water from an RV’s water system at a Texas campground using a nasal irrigation device.
Within just four days, she developed severe symptoms including fever, headache, and altered mental status.
Despite medical intervention, she experienced seizures and died eight days after her symptoms began.
Testing confirmed the presence of Naegleria fowleri, commonly known as the “brain-eating amoeba,” in her cerebrospinal fluid.
This rare but deadly infection, called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), occurs when contaminated water enters the nose and travels to the brain.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) investigation revealed the woman had used non-boiled water from the RV’s potable water faucet multiple times.
The RV’s water tank, which was filled before purchase, might have contained contaminated water.
Additionally, the municipal water system connected to it could have been the source of contamination.
“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 wrote.
While PAM infections are rare, with fewer than 10 people infected per year in the U.S., they are almost always fatal.
Death can occur between one and 18 days after infection, with an average of just five days.
Initial symptoms include headache, nausea, fever, and vomiting, which quickly turn into confusion, stiff neck, and seizures.
Most infections occur when people swim in freshwater lakes, rivers, or hot springs during warmer months.
However, this case demonstrates that everyday tap water can also pose a serious risk when used incorrectly.
The CDC emphasizes that infection occurs when contaminated water enters the nose, not through drinking or person-to-person contact.
The agency strongly advises using distilled, sterile, or boiled and cooled tap water for nasal irrigation to prevent infection.
Health officials also warn about insufficiently chlorinated pools and splash pads as potential sources of infection.
For those swimming in fresh water, holding your nose or wearing a nose clip when jumping or diving, and keeping your head above water in hot springs, can reduce the risk of exposure.
This tragic death serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of following proper health guidelines and maintaining water quality.
