The Louisiana Department of Health issued a statewide advisory on Thursday urging residents to use only distilled, boiled, or otherwise sanitized water for sinus rinsing devices, contact lens cleaning, and CPAP machines. The warning follows a recent fatal Acanthamoeba infection – one of ten reported cases in Louisiana since 2024 – and two other serious infections this year among individuals with weakened immune systems.
What officials are advising
State epidemiologist Theresa Sokol emphasized that while tap water has not been proven as the source of the infections, it is not suitable for any device that contacts the eyes, nose, or respiratory passages. “Although these infections are rare, they can have devastating consequences,” she said in a news release.
Residents are asked to:
- Use distilled, boiled, or commercially sterile water in neti pots, sinus irrigation bottles, and other nasal rinsing devices.
- Clean and store contact lenses with solutions approved by eye‑care professionals; never use tap water for rinsing or storage.
- Ensure CPAP machines for sleep apnea are filled with sanitized water, not tap water.
- Avoid swimming, showering, or using hot tubs while wearing contact lenses.
Understanding Acanthamoeba
Acanthamoeba is a free‑living microbe found in soil, freshwater bodies, swimming pools, indoor heating and air‑conditioning units, and humidifiers. It can cause Acanthamoeba keratitis – a painful eye infection that may lead to permanent vision loss – or, in rarer cases, a severe systemic infection that can be fatal.
Since 2024, Louisiana has reported ten Acanthamoeba infections, including eight cases of keratitis, seven of which involved contact‑lens wearers. Five of those patients have suffered permanent vision loss. The two serious infections this year occurred in individuals with compromised immune systems who used tap water in nasal irrigation systems.
How rare are these infections?
A 2023 CDC‑cited study noted that non‑keratitis Acanthamoeba cases total fewer than 12 per year nationwide, with an 82% fatality rate among those cases. While the overall risk remains low, the potential for severe outcomes justifies precautionary measures.
Distinguishing from other amoebas
Acanthamoeba should not be confused with Naegleria fowleri, the “brain‑eating” amoeba that thrives in warm freshwater lakes, ponds, rivers, and canals. Louisiana has recorded at least five Naegleria‑related deaths since 2011, including the tragic case of an eight‑year‑old girl from Ruston who contracted the infection while swimming in a northern Louisiana lake.
Practical steps for families
Parents and caregivers can protect children and themselves by following simple water‑safety practices:
- Boil tap water for at least one minute and let it cool before using it in any nasal rinse device.
- Purchase distilled water from grocery stores for regular use in neti pots and CPAP machines.
- Never rinse or store contact lenses with tap water; use only FDA‑approved solutions.
- Regularly clean and disinfect humidifiers, air‑conditioning units, and other indoor water systems.
Drinking tap water remains safe and does not increase the risk of Acanthamoeba infection, according to health officials.
What’s next?
The department will continue monitoring cases and working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to provide updated guidance. Residents with questions or concerns are encouraged to contact the Louisiana Department of Health’s public‑health hotline.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
