Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Latest Breaking News

Showing Original Post only (View all)

riversedge

(76,965 posts)
Sun Jun 8, 2025, 06:11 AM Jun 8

Texas Woman Dies From Horrifying Brain-Eating Amoeba [View all]

Source: daily beast


Jack Revell Published 06.08.25 1:43AM EDT



An unnamed woman has died in Texas after succumbing to a terrifying brain-eating amoeba. It is believed the woman was infected with Naegleria fowleri, after using tap water in a sinus rinse. A case report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that the use of non-boiled water from her RV’s water system in the sinus-clearing device is the likely cause of infection. “The tank had been filled with water collected on an unknown date before the patient’s purchase of the RV 3 months earlier,” the report reads. Lab tests later confirmed the presence of N. fowleri in her brain fluid. The amoeba lives in warm, freshwater around the world and, while infection is rare, enters the body through the nasal passage, causing primary amebic meningoencephalitis or PAM. Fewer than 10 people contract the disease in the U.S. each year, but it is fatal in almost everyone who does. The CDC recommends the use of distilled, sterile, or boiled and cooled tap water for nasal irrigation.

Read more: https://www.thedailybeast.com/texas-woman-dies-from-horrifying-brain-eating-amoeba/








Naegleria fowleri is an amoeba (one-celled living organism) that lives in soil and warm fresh water, such as lakes, rivers, and hot springs. It is commonly called the brain-eating amoeba because it can cause brain infection when water containing the amoeba rises in the nose. Only about three people in the United States are infected each year, but these infections are usually fatal. (Photo by: CDC/IMAGE POINT FR/BSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
BSIP/BSIP/Universal Images Group via
22 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Can one become infected with this by swimming in a contaminated lake... Oopsie Daisy Jun 8 #1
You bet. In place near shore where there is not much water action and the water is warm ... marble falls Jun 8 #2
Fortunately, not very high. Otherwise, with 340 million Americans, they're would be panic. paleotn Jun 8 #3
Yes, but occurences are rare. sl8 Jun 8 #5
According to the Mayo clinic, the organism is fairly ubiquitous, but infection is very, very rare. Martin68 Jun 8 #20
Thank you. Good information. Oopsie Daisy Jun 8 #21
Undoubtedly it would be horrible to die of this disease, but hyping the possibility of anyone contracting it is Martin68 Jun 9 #22
Oh shit! liberalgunwilltravel Jun 8 #4
Do not nasal irrigate! It's dangerous. BradBo Jun 8 #6
It's perfectly safe when you follow directions and use distilled water. Talitha Jun 8 #14
Or boiled water Mysterian Jun 8 #16
Correct! forgotmylogin Jun 8 #17
This is a bit off-topic, but a specific type of brain-eating amoeba can be stopped by a medicine manufactured in China. John1956PA Jun 8 #7
Saved that little girl in Texas who was just playing outside wolfie001 Jun 8 #9
Use distilled water with a neti pot SARose Jun 8 #8
I use distilled water in the cpap machine wolfie001 Jun 8 #10
CDC article that this is based on: sl8 Jun 8 #11
..another reason whathehell Jun 8 #12
RV water is a petrie dish in itself. Historic NY Jun 8 #13
Don't be too terrified Warpy Jun 8 #15
Wasn't this already posted on Friday? FakeNoose Jun 8 #18
I survived amebosis in 99. IbogaProject Jun 8 #19
Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Texas Woman Dies From Hor...