Louisiana officials urged residents to avoid tap water in nasal rinses following rare infections
Louisiana residents are being urged to take precautions with tap water after 10 rare Acanthamoeba infections were reported in the state since 2024. Both people with serious infections reported having used tap water in nasal irrigation systems. Drinking tap water does not risk Acanthamoeba infection, but using it for nasal rinses or contact-lens care is dangerous.
More context
Louisiana residents are being urged to avoid using tap water in nasal rinsing devices and for contact lenses after 10 cases of rare Acanthamoeba infections were reported in the state since 2024, Fox Weather reported. Drinking tap water does not put people at risk of contracting the infection, but using it for sinus or nasal rinses or to clean or store contact lenses is dangerous, the outlet said. Both people with serious infections reported using nasal irrigation systems with tap water.
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Verifier’s note
Fox Weather reports that Louisiana officials urged precautions against using tap water for nasal rinses or contact-lens care after rare Acanthamoeba infections were reported. Its report was published within the past day and matches the proposed event.