In a rare but tragic case, a Texas woman has died after being infected by a brain-eating amoeba believed to have come from tap water. While the infection is extremely uncommon, it raises serious questions about how this microscopic organism—Naegleria fowleri—can make its way into everyday routines. Here’s what to know about the risk, the symptoms, and how to stay safe.
What Is a Brain-Eating Amoeba?
Naegleria fowleri is a microscopic organism found in warm freshwater environments like lakes, rivers, and hot springs. Despite its nickname, this amoeba doesn’t actually “eat” brains—but it does cause a rare and devastating infection called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), which destroys brain tissue.
The organism typically thrives in warm environments and is more common in the southern United States during the summer months. It can also occasionally be found in untreated or poorly treated tap water systems—especially if the water is warm and stagnant.
Fortunately, infections are exceedingly rare. According to the CDC, only about three to five cases are reported each year in the U.S., but the outcome is almost always fatal.
How Infection Happens—and Why It’s So Dangerous
Infections occur when contaminated water enters the body through the nose—typically while swimming, diving, or rinsing nasal passages. From there, the amoeba travels to the brain, where it causes severe inflammation and tissue damage.
Key symptoms to watch for include:
- Severe headache
- Fever
- Nausea and vomiting
- Stiff neck
- Confusion or hallucinations
- Seizures
Symptoms typically begin within 1 to 12 days of exposure and progress rapidly. Most patients do not survive beyond five days after symptoms begin.
Because PAM progresses so quickly and mimics other forms of meningitis early on, it’s often diagnosed too late for treatment to be effective.
Texas Case: A Rare and Tragic Infection
In October 2023, a Texas woman died after using tap water for nasal irrigation, a practice often done using a neti pot. Health officials believe that Naegleria fowleri entered her body through her nasal passages during one of these rinses.
The woman was treated at a local hospital but did not survive. Local and state health officials investigated the municipal water supply and issued warnings about using sterile or distilled water for nasal rinsing.
While this case is alarming, experts stress that it remains incredibly rare. Tap water in the U.S. is generally safe for drinking and bathing. The issue arises only when untreated or improperly treated water is introduced directly into the nasal cavity, where the amoeba can bypass the body’s usual defenses.
How to Stay Safe Around Water
The risk of contracting a brain-eating amoeba is low—but if you engage in certain activities, there are simple ways to reduce your risk even further.
Experts recommend the following precautions:
- Don’t use tap water for nasal rinses unless it’s been properly treated. Use distilled, sterile, or previously boiled water for neti pots or other nasal irrigation.
- Avoid submerging your head in warm freshwater during peak summer months.
- Keep water out of your nose when swimming in lakes or rivers. Wearing nose clips can help.
- Run bath and shower taps cold first to flush out standing water that may have warmed in pipes.
If you develop symptoms like severe headache, nausea, or confusion after freshwater exposure, seek medical attention immediately and mention the exposure to your provider.
Though terrifying in name and outcome, the brain-eating amoeba is an extremely rare threat. With awareness and proper precautions—especially around nasal rinsing and untreated water—you can continue to enjoy your summer safely and confidently.
