Latest news with #MorbidityandMortalityWeeklyReport
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Texas Woman Dies From Brain-Eating Amoeba After Using RV Tap Water For Sinus Rinse
A Texas woman died from a rare and deadly brain infection after using unboiled tap water from an RV's water system for nasal irrigation while staying at a campground, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The 71-year-old woman, who was healthy before the infection, used a nasal irrigation device with tap water from the RV's water system several times over four days. Within four days of her last use, she developed severe neurological symptoms, including fever, headache, and altered mental status, the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report stated. She developed seizures and died eight days after symptoms began. Laboratory testing confirmed Naegleria fowleri in her cerebrospinal fluid, indicating primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a disease with a fatality rate exceeding 97%. Naegleria fowleri, commonly known as the 'brain-eating amoeba,' is a free-living organism found in warm freshwater environments like lakes, rivers, and hot springs. Infections occur when contaminated water enters the nose, allowing the amoeba to travel to the brain. From 1962 to 2022, the U.S. reported 157 (primary amebic meningoencephalitis) PAM cases, with Texas accounting for 39. While most cases are linked to recreational water activities, nasal irrigation with contaminated water is a known risk. The CDC noted that the woman had no recent exposure to natural bodies of water, suggesting the RV's water system was the likely source of infection. The RV's water tank had been filled before the woman purchased it three months before her death, but the filling location is unknown. No samples from the campsite or RV water system tested positive for the amoeba, leaving the exact source of contamination unclear. The CDC emphasized that only distilled, sterile, or previously boiled water should be used for nasal rinsing, as tap water, even if safe for drinking, may contain organisms harmful when introduced into the nasal passages. To prevent PAM, the CDC recommends holding your nose or wearing a nose clip when diving into freshwater, keeping your head above water in hot springs, avoiding digging in shallow water, and using boiled or distilled water for nasal irrigation. The specific Texas campground where the infection occurred was not disclosed. This case underscores the critical need for public awareness about safe water use for nasal irrigation to prevent such rare but devastating infections.
Economic Times
07-06-2025
- Health
- Economic Times
Rare brain eating amoeba Naegleria fowleri kills woman: How a tiny amoeba in tap water can kill you and how to stay safe
Brain Eating Amoeba: A 71-year-old woman in Texas died after using unboiled tap water from an RV for nasal rinsing, leading to a rare but fatal infection caused by Naegleria fowleri — the so-called 'brain-eating' amoeba. The case, confirmed by the CDC, has raised fresh concerns over improper water use in nasal irrigation and swimming. Infections are exceedingly rare but almost always deadly. Authorities stress the importance of safe water practices to avoid exposure, particularly in warmer months when the amoeba thrives. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads What is Naegleria fowleri? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads How the woman got infected Symptoms to watch for Headache Fever Nausea Vomiting Confusion Stiff neck Seizures Hallucinations Coma Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads How to protect yourself How it spreads and survives Can it be treated? A woman in Texas died after contracting a deadly brain infection from a microscopic amoeba in tap water used for a nasal rinse, U.S. health officials have 71-year-old was reportedly staying at a local campground and had used water from her RV's tap in a nasal irrigation device. Just four days later, she developed severe neurological symptoms and died within eight days of falling ill. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified the infection as primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), caused by Naegleria fowleri — a rare but nearly always fatal amoeba.'This case reinforces the potential for serious health risks associated with improper use of nasal irrigation devices, as well as the importance of maintaining RV water quality and ensuring that municipal water systems adhere to regulatory standards,' the CDC fowleri is a single-celled organism that lives in warm freshwater bodies such as lakes, rivers, and hot springs. It can also survive in poorly maintained swimming pools and untreated tap water. It is referred to as a "brain-eating amoeba" because, once it enters through the nose, it travels along the olfactory nerve into the brain, where it destroys brain its terrifying name, the amoeba is extremely rare. Between 1962 and 2023, only 164 cases were recorded in the U.S., with just four known Lundstrom, Chief Medical Officer and infectious disease expert at Trinity Health, told Fox News Digital, 'The risk of brain-eating amoeba is very low. Fewer than 10 people in the U.S. every year get infected — but unfortunately, most cases are fatal. There are only a handful of survivors of known cases.'The CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report detailed that the woman had used a nasal irrigation device multiple times over four days. It was filled with unboiled tap water from the RV's internal plumbing. After symptoms such as fever, headache and altered mental status emerged, she was hospitalised and treated for a suspected PAM her condition rapidly worsened. She suffered seizures and died eight days after the symptoms began. Testing of her cerebrospinal fluid confirmed the presence of Naegleria the amoeba itself was not detected in the RV water supply, investigators found the system had not been adequately symptoms of PAM often appear within five days of exposure, though onset can range from one to 12 days. These include:As the infection advances, it can cause:'Early symptoms should prompt a medical evaluation, as they are also signs of bacterial meningitis,' said disease progresses swiftly. On average, death occurs five days after symptoms begin, but it can happen in as little as one day or as long as CDC advises that only sterile, distilled or previously boiled and cooled water should be used for nasal rinsing. Improperly treated water, especially from RVs or municipal systems lacking adequate disinfection, can pose a swimming, experts recommend keeping your head above water or using a nose clip. 'Infection occurs when water harbouring the amoeba goes up a person's nose, usually during swimming,' Lundstrom explained. 'It is not known why some people get infected and others, even swimming companions, do not.'Drinking contaminated water is not a risk factor, as the infection only occurs via nasal exposure. It also does not spread between the amoeba thrives in warm temperatures — typically over 30°C — and can survive in sediment, swimmers are advised not to disturb the bottom of lakes or fowleri has three life stages: cyst, trophozoite (the active stage), and flagellate. The active form can infect humans but under less favourable conditions, it reverts to a cyst and clings to surfaces in plumbing or grows best at temperatures up to 46°C and can survive briefly even in hotter conditions. Most infections occur in southern U.S. states, though cases are being reported further north — possibly linked to climate limit the spread, many southern utilities perform annual chlorine burns at the start of summer to flush out biofilms where the amoeba might options are limited due to the rapid progression and severity of PAM. Doctors typically use antifungal and antibiotic drugs, such as rifampin and azithromycin, alongside miltefosine, a newer antifungal that has shown some promise in lab Lundstrom cautioned, 'The effect of all of these drugs on actual infected people is unknown due to the high fatality rate.'Prompt diagnosis remains difficult because early symptoms resemble other, more common warmest months are when Naegleria fowleri is most active, especially in southern regions. Splash pads, lakes, and even backyard kiddie pools can become risky if water is left untreated or infections are rare, families are urged to take simple precautions. Use sterile water for nasal care. Be cautious in warm freshwater environments. And remember, the amoeba doesn't pose a risk in saltwater or from drinking.'Millions of people enjoy swimming every summer, but only a few become infected,' said Lundstrom. 'Awareness and prevention are your best tools.'
Time of India
06-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Woman dies of brain eating amoeba after rinsing sinuses using tap water
A rare case of brain eating amoeba killing a woman has grabbed attention. As per the latest Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) of the US CDC, a woman died due to fatal brain infection caused by the free-living ameba, Naegleria fowleri which she got from nasal irrigation device filled with tap water. "A previously healthy woman aged 71 years developed severe neurologic symptoms, including fever, headache, and altered mental status within 4 days of using a nasal irrigation device filled with tap water from an RV's water system at a campground in Texas. Despite medical treatment for a suspected PAM infection, the patient developed seizures and subsequently died 8 days after symptom onset. Laboratory testing at CDC confirmed the presence of N. fowleri in the patient's cerebrospinal fluid," the US CDC says. "Primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is a rare, often fatal brain infection caused by the free-living ameba Naegleria fowleri. Using tap water for nasal irrigation is a risk factor for PAM," it warns. What is Naegleria fowleri? Naegleria fowleri, also known as the "brain-eating amoeba," is a super rare but extremely dangerous microorganism that lives in warm freshwater—like lakes, rivers, hot springs, and even poorly maintained swimming pools. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like They Lost Their Money - Learn From Their Lesson Expertinspector Click Here Undo Despite how scary it sounds (and yes, it is scary), infections from it are extremely uncommon. So what exactly is this thing? Naegleria fowleri is a tiny, single-celled organism that you can't see without a microscope. It thrives in warm temperatures, especially in water that's over 30°C (about 86°F). You don't get sick from drinking water that has it. The real danger happens when the water goes up your nose—usually while swimming, diving, or jumping into warm freshwater. Once it gets up your nose, the amoeba can travel to your brain through the olfactory nerve (the nerve that helps you smell). Once it reaches the brain, it causes a rare but deadly infection called Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM). And unfortunately, it progresses very quickly—people usually start feeling symptoms within 1 to 12 days, and the disease often leads to death within about 5 days after symptoms start. The early symptoms of PAM can feel like a bad case of meningitis or the flu: headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, and a stiff neck. Then it gets worse—confusion, seizures, hallucinations, and eventually coma. Because it progresses so fast and looks like other infections at first, it's very hard to diagnose in time. To stay safe, avoid getting water up your nose when swimming in warm freshwater—wear nose clips, don't stir up sediment, and avoid jumping or diving into shallow, warm water. And definitely don't use tap water to rinse your nose or sinuses unless it's been properly sterilized or filtered. Naegleria fowleri may sound like something out of a horror movie. Just be smart around warm freshwater, and you'll likely never come close to encountering it. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Miami Herald
05-06-2025
- Health
- Miami Herald
Brain-eating amoeba kills woman using tap water to clear sinuses in TX, CDC says
A woman died after contracting a rare brain infection from using tap water to clear sinuses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The 71-year-old woman was at a campground in Texas when she used tap water in a nasal rinse to clear her sinuses, the CDC said in its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report published May 29. The woman, who was otherwise healthy, developed 'severe neurologic symptoms, including fever, headache, and altered mental status,' within four days, according to the report. She was treated for primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a rare brain infection that's often fatal. It's caused by the free-living ameba, Naegleria fowleri, the report said. Eight days later, the woman died. Lab results showed the presence of Naegleria fowleri in her cerebrospinal fluid. Naegleria fowleri, also known as a brain-eating ameba, is a 'one-celled organism that thrives in warm freshwater lakes, rivers, and hot springs,' the CDC says. CDC officials said the woman performed the nasal rinse several times with non-boiled water in her RV from two different water sources; one from a portable tank that had been filled with water months prior, and the other from the municipal water system which was connected by a hose and water filter. It's unclear which water source caused the infection. Although it is rare, there have been cases reported of people dying from using a nasal rinse with tap water. The CDC said you should use distilled, sterile or boiled and cooled water to rinse.
USA Today
04-06-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Woman dies from brain-eating amoeba after using tap water to clear sinuses, CDC says
Woman dies from brain-eating amoeba after using tap water to clear sinuses, CDC says Show Caption Hide Caption What to know about the flu The common flu can cause mild to severe symptoms, according to the CDC. Find out what you need to know to prevent the illness. A woman in Texas died after contracting a rare brain-eating amoeba infection from using tap water to clear out her sinuses, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced. According to a death investigation inside the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report released Thursday, May 29, the 71-year-old woman suddenly died after experiencing serious symptoms. Officials described the symptoms as a fever, headache, and an 'altered mental status,' only days after using a 'nasal irrigation device' filled with tap water. The report continued, saying that the woman received medical treatment for a suspected Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis infection. But despite the treatment, the woman began having seizures, subsequently dying eight days after symptoms began. Following her death, CDC officials confirmed in the report that Naegleria fowleri was found in the woman's cerebrospinal fluid, which the Cleveland Clinic says is a clear and colorless fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord and acts as a protective cushion and provides nutrients. What is Naegleria fowleri? According to the CDC, Naegleria fowleri, more commonly known as 'brain-eating amoeba,' is a one-celled organism that lives in freshwater lakes, rivers and hot springs. 'If water containing the ameba goes up the nose and to the brain, it can cause an infection called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM),' the CDC said. Officials said that fewer than 10 people a year contract PAM, with a death rate of almost 100%. How can I stay safe from brain-eating amoeba? According to the CDC, officials gave the following recommendations to stay safe: Hold your nose or wear a nose clip if you are jumping or diving into fresh water. Always keep your head above water in hot springs. Don't dig in shallow water because the amoeba is more likely to live there. Use distilled or boiled tap water when rinsing your sinuses or cleansing your nasal passages. Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
