The danger lurking in tap water!

A health alarm was issued in the US state of Louisiana due to the amoeba called Akantamoeba Keratitis, which can be found naturally in water and soil. The State Department of Health announced that five of the 10 infection cases detected since 2024 caused permanent vision loss, and one case resulted in death. State epidemiologist Theresa Sokol pointed out the importance of using safe water, stating that although infections are rare, they can lead to serious consequences.

In eight of the 10 cases detected, amoeba affecting the cornea, the transparent layer of the eye, was seen. It was reported that seven of these patients used contact lenses and five suffered permanent vision loss.

Amoeba can infect the eyes, especially if contact lenses come into contact with dirty water. Infection; It may occur with symptoms such as eye pain, redness, blurred vision, sensitivity to light and excessive watering. If not treated early, it can cause permanent vision loss. More severe forms of the infection were seen in the other two patients. One patient's sinuses were affected and the other's brain was affected. The patient developed a brain infection and died.

It was learned that both patients with weak immune systems put tap water into the devices they used for nasal cleaning. However, officials stated that it has not been conclusively proven that the infections were caused directly by tap water.

Louisiana health officials emphasized that tap water should not be used to clean or store contact lenses. It is recommended to use sterile, distilled or appropriately boiled and cooled water for nasal washing. Authorities stated that drinking tap water is not thought to pose a risk of infection with this type of amoeba, and pointed out that the real danger is direct contact of water with the eyes or inside the nose.