A 71-year-old Texas woman died from a rare Naegleria fowleri infection after using tap water in a nasal irrigation device while staying at an RV campground, according to a report by the CDC. The woman, who was otherwise healthy, developed symptoms including headache, fever, and confusion within four days and died eight days later after experiencing seizures.
The infection, known as Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), was confirmed when Naegleria fowleri was detected in her cerebrospinal fluid. The CDC determined that she had not been exposed to natural freshwater sources but had repeatedly used unboiled tap water from the RV system to rinse her sinuses.
Naegleria fowleri is a microscopic amoeba typically found in warm freshwater lakes and hot springs. If contaminated water enters the nose, it can lead to nearly always fatal brain infection. Since 1962, 164 PAM cases have been reported in the United States, with only four survivors.
The CDC urges using only distilled or previously boiled water for nasal rinsing to prevent infection.
Source(s)
Discover more from News Facts Network
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
