Louisiana officials issue warning over amoeba lurking in tap water
Louisiana health officials have issued a warning regarding a rare but dangerous amoeba found in tap water. The organism has been linked to ten cases of illness, including five instances of permanent blindness and one death, often associated with contact lens use or nasal irrigation.
Why it matters
It highlights critical public health risks associated with common household water usage and the importance of proper hygiene practices for medical devices.
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Make New York Post a Preferred Source Trouble is flowing from the faucets in Louisiana.
State health officials issued an urgent warning to residents this week after a microscopic organism commonly found in tap water was linked to five cases of permanent blindness and one death.
“Although these infections are rare, they can have devastating consequences,” state epidemiologist Theresa Sokol said in a press release .
Since 2024, authorities have identified 10 cases of Acanthamoeba-related illness across the state.
The microscopic amoeba is commonly found in soil, dust and water, including what’s coming out of the bathroom sink.
While most people will encounter the microscopic bug at some point without ever getting sick, an infection can have devastating consequences for those who do, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
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