The Louisiana Department of Health is cautioning residents against using tap water to rinse their nasal passages or clean contact lenses following several rare Acanthamoeba infections reported in the state.
Health officials said Thursday that Louisiana has recorded 10 Acanthamoeba infections since 2024.
Eight of those cases involved Acanthamoeba keratitis, an eye infection that can lead to permanent vision loss. Seven patients wore contact lenses, and five experienced lasting damage to their vision, according to the health department.
Two additional infections were reported this year. One affected the sinuses, while the other spread to the brain and proved fatal. The LDH said both patients had weakened immune systems and used tap water in nasal irrigation devices.
Officials have not disclosed details about the person who died, including the individual’s name, age, sex or hometown.
“Although these infections are rare, they can have devastating consequences,” Theresa Sokol, Louisiana’s state epidemiologist, said in a news release. “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.”
Acanthamoeba is a free-living amoeba, meaning it is a single-celled organism that can survive in water, soil and dust, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDC says the organism may also be present in freshwater, stagnant water, drinking-water systems, humidifiers, swimming pools, hot tubs, heating systems and HVAC equipment.
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Most people encounter Acanthamoeba at some point without becoming ill. In rare circumstances, however, the organism can cause infections affecting the eyes, sinuses, skin or brain, the CDC said.
Infection can occur when someone inhales the organism or when it enters a cut or open wound. It may also reach the eyes through contact lens use.
The CDC identifies two main forms of Acanthamoeba infection. Non-keratitis Acanthamoeba infection is uncommon but potentially severe, generally affecting people with weakened immune systems. It can involve one or multiple areas of the body, including the brain, skin, nasal cavity and sinuses.
A study cited in a 2024 CDC report found that non-keratitis infections affect an estimated three to 12 people in the United States each year. About 82% of reported cases are fatal.
The second form, Acanthamoeba keratitis, is an eye infection that generally occurs in otherwise healthy people and may cause permanent vision loss. Most cases in the United States are linked to contact lens use, and the infection typically remains confined to the eye.
To reduce the risk associated with nasal irrigation, the LDH advises using distilled or sterile water, or water that has been boiled and then allowed to cool.
Contact lens wearers should never use tap water to clean or store their lenses. Instead, the health department recommends using contact lens solution and following approved cleaning and storage instructions. Officials also advise removing lenses before swimming, showering or entering a hot tub.
The health department said it has issued an advisory to Louisiana healthcare providers to promote greater awareness, encourage early recognition of symptoms and reinforce prevention guidance.
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