The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals issued its warning following a second death this year caused by Naegleria fowleri, the so-called brain-eating amoeba.
It follows two recent deaths – a 51-year-old woman and a 20-year-old man from the ‘brain-eating amoeba’ Naegleria fowleri.
It is thought the amoeba entered their brains when they used the devices with tap water, which both were reported to have done.
Dr Raoult Ratard, Louisiana State Epidemiologist, said: ‘If you are irrigating, flushing, or rinsing your sinuses, for example, by using a neti pot, use distilled, sterile or previously boiled water to make up the irrigation solution.
Professionals direct that it is important to use distilled or sterilized water and rinse the irrigation device after each use and leave open to air dry. ‘Tap water is safe for drinking, but not for irrigating your nose.’
Via Seattle PI:
According to Livescience, the deadly amoeba is not generally dangerous unless forced into the sinuses where it can then easily attack the brain. Once a person is infected, they contract a neurological disease that destroys neural tissue. The victim then dies in a few days.
The disease, while rare, is most commonly contracted after inhaling water from a lake, pond or river. If investigators confirm the two victims died after using tap water from a neti pot it will be the first time the disease has been contracted from tap water.
Beware the symptoms:
DHH said the amoeba causes the disease primary amebic meningoencephalitis, a brain infection that leads to the destruction of brain tissue. In its early stages, symptoms may be similar to symptoms of bacterial meningitis and can include headache, fever, nausea, vomiting and stiff neck. Later symptoms include confusion, loss of balance, seizures and hallucinations.
After the start of symptoms, the disease progresses rapidly and usually causes death within one to 12 days.
