A 71-year-old woman has died after being infected by a rare brain-eating amoeba, which health officials say was likely linked to using tap water from her recreational vehicle (RV) for nasal rinsing at a Texas campground, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
After being hospitalized and diagnosed with Primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), her condition worsened, and she experienced seizures before dying eight days after her symptoms began. PAM is a rare but often deadly brain infection caused by the free-living amoeba Naegleria fowleri.
The woman's death was listed as occurring last year, but the public health agency did not provide an exact date or the campground's location in Texas.
While most PAM cases are connected to swimming in lakes or rivers, using tap water for nasal irrigation can also be a risk factor. The CDC said the woman had not taken part in any recreational water activities,
Although the agency did not find Naegleria fowleri in the RV’s water supply, they said the water was not properly disinfected.
“This case highlights the importance of following recommended nasal irrigation practices. Improperly maintained RV water systems can be a source of waterborne disease, including PAM,” the agency stated.
“CDC recommends the use of distilled, sterile, or boiled and cooled tap water for nasal irrigation. Household safe water practices can help prevent waterborne illness associated with RV water systems.”