Louisiana Warns of Tap Water Amoeba Threat After Fatal Brain Infection
Louisiana health officials issued an urgent warning on October 29, 2026, after identifying ten Acanthamoeba cases since 2024. The microscopic organism, found in tap water, soil, and dust, has caused permanent blindness in five residents and one death. State epidemiologist Theresa Sokol emphasized that while infections are rare, they can be devastating. Eight cases involved eye infections linked to contact lens use, while two severe cases affected the sinuses and brain in individuals with weakened immune systems who used tap water for nasal irrigation. Officials stressed that drinking tap water is not a risk, but using it for nasal rinsing or cleaning lenses is dangerous. Symptoms of eye infection include pain, redness, and blurred vision, while brain infections can cause seizures and confusion. Treatment with antiseptic eye drops is effective only if started early, as delayed treatment can lead to fatal complications like granulomatous amebic encephalitis.