Louisiana residents urged to take tap water precautions after dangerous amoeba infections reported

Residents in Louisiana are reminded of the dangers of using tap water when using nasal rinsing devices and contact lenses after 10 cases of rare Acanthamoeba infections were identified since 2024. 

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) issued the alert, telling residents that Acanthamoeba can cause eye infections or more rarely, sinus, skin or brain infections, depending on how it enters the body. 

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Acanthamoeba is a microscopic organism often found in soil, dust and water, including tap water.

Exposure to this amoeba is common, but infection from it is rare, the department of Health said. 

Of the 10 cases identified in Louisiana since 2024, eight of them were Acanthamoeba keratitis. 

Acanthamoeba keratitis is an eye infection that can cause permanent vision loss in otherwise healthy people. 

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Acanthamoeba keratitis can cause eye pain, redness, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, excessive tearing or the sensation that something is in the eye, LDH said. "Contact lens wearers experiencing these symptoms should promptly seek care from an eye care professional."

LDH said seven of the cases occurred in contact lens wearers and five of the eight cases led to permanent loss of vision. 

Two serious cases were identified in Louisiana in 2026. 

One person contracted the infection in their sinuses and the other contracted it in their brain and died. 

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Both people with serious infections reported having used nasal irrigation systems with tap water. 

LDH said tap water couldn't be established as the source of the infections, but still warns residents of the dangers of using tap water in situations like these. 

Drinking tap water will not put people at risk of contracting Acanthamoeba, but using it for sinus or nasal rinses or to clean or store contact lenses is very dangerous. 

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"Although these infections are rare, they can have devastating consequences," said Louisiana state epidemiologist Theresa Sokol. "Using the right water for nasal rinsing, following proper contact lens hygiene, and taking precautions with medical devices can help reduce the risk. These steps are especially important for people with weakened immune systems."

Symptoms vary depending on the infection and can be difficult to recognize. People with weakened immune systems who develop symptoms such as seizures, confusion, headaches, weakness, fevers or sinus, visual, skin or other disturbances should seek medical attention as soon as possible and tell their health care provider about any recent nasal rinsing or other potential water exposures, LDH said.

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LDH recommends following these precautions: 

LDH issued a health advisory to Louisiana health care providers to increase awareness of these infections, encourage early recognition and reinforce prevention recommendations.

For additional information about Acanthamoeba infections and prevention, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Acanthamoeba infections website.