Louisiana Health Officials Warn About Tap Water Use After Rare Amoeba Cases

Officials in Louisiana are urging residents to exercise caution when using tap water. What is prompting the concern, and what do you need to do if you are in the impacted area? This is what you need to know.

Louisiana Warns of Dangerous Amoeba Infections

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) issued an alert about the dangers of using tap water for certain uses after 10 cases of the rare Acanthamoeba infections were identified since 2024. While drinking tap water is not dangerous, using it for sinus or nasal rinses or to store or clean contact lenses can be hazardous.

The LDH said that Acanthamoeba can trigger dangerous eye, sinus, skin, or brain infections. This microscopic organism is typically found in soil, dust, and water. Although exposure to the amoeba is common in Louisiana, developing an infection as a result of this exposure is quite rare. Acanthamoeba is distinct from Naegleria fowleri, more commonly known as the brain-eating amoeba.

Of the 10 cases confirmed in Louisiana since 2024, eight of them were what is known as Acanthamoeba keratitis. This eye infection can lead to permanent loss of vision in otherwise healthy individuals. The LDH explains that Acanthamoeba keratitis has been shown to potentially cause eye pain, blurred vision, redness, sensitivity to light, excessive tearing, or the feeling that something is stuck in the eye. The state's public health agency said that "Contact lens wearers experiencing these symptoms should promptly seek care from an eye care professional."

LDH confirmed that seven of these cases happened in individuals who used contact lenses. Of these cases, five went on to suffer from permanent vision loss.

Two other serious cases were identified in the state this year. One of these patients contracted the infection in their sinuses, while the other contracted it in the brain. The person with the brain infection passed away.