Florida resident dies from brain-eating amoeba infection, and health officials advise caution

A person in Charlotte County, Florida, has died after being infected with the rare brain-eating amoeba Naegleria fowleri. Health officials say the infection may have resulted from “sinus rinse practices utilizing tap water.” This incident has prompted health officials to warn the public, advising caution when using tap water for sinus rinsing.

What is Naegleria fowleri?

Naegleria fowleri is an amoeba found in soil and warm freshwater, such as lakes, rivers, and hot springs throughout the United States. It is commonly called the “brain-eating amoeba” because it can cause brain infections, typically when amoeba-containing water enters the body through the nose while swimming.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about three people in the United States are infected yearly, and these infections are usually deadly. From 1962 to 2021, only four out of 154 people in the United States survived a brain-eating amoeba infection, according to the CDC. Several reported Naegleria fowleri infections have resulted in deaths in the past year.

The recent case in Charlotte County, Florida, has raised concerns about the safety of sinus rinse practices and the potential dangers of using tap water for this purpose.

How did the Florida resident become infected?

According to a news release from the Florida Department of Health in Charlotte County, the infection possibly resulted from “sinus rinse practices utilizing tap water.” Tap water that has not been sterilized is unsafe to use as a nasal rinse since it is not adequately filtered or treated. So it may contain low levels of microorganisms, such as bacteria and protozoa, including amoebas.

Health officials continue to investigate the case to understand the unique circumstances of this infection. Jae Williams, press secretary for the Florida Department of Health, confirmed that the infected person has died and any additional information on this case is confidential to protect patient privacy.

What precautions can be taken to avoid infection?

The Florida Department of Health in Charlotte County has warned residents only to use distilled or sterile water when making sinus rinse solutions. Tap water should be boiled for at least a minute and cooled before using it for sinus rinsing, which typically involves a neti pot.

While people cannot be infected by drinking tap water, as stomach acid typically kills the organisms, infection with Naegleria fowleri “can only happen when water contaminated with amoebae enters the body through the nose,” according to the department’s news release.

It’s important to note that the risk of infection from Naegleria fowleri is shallow, and there is no need for panic. However, taking appropriate precautions can significantly reduce the risk of disease.

The recent death of a Florida resident due to a brain-eating amoeba infection has raised concerns about the safety of sinus rinse practices and the potential dangers of using tap water for this purpose. While the risk of disease is low, caution should be exercised when using tap water for sinus rinsing, and residents are advised to only use distilled or sterile water for this purpose. By taking appropriate precautions, we can reduce the risk of infection and ensure the safety of ourselves and our loved ones.