Skip directly to search Skip directly to A to Z list Skip directly to navigation Skip directly to page options Skip directly to site content

Naegleria fowleri in Louisiana Public Water Systems

The Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) in Louisiana and CDC confirmed the presence of Naegleria fowleri in two treated public drinking water systems in September-October 2013. A child staying in St. Bernard Parish died from infection with Naegleria fowleri, and the ameba was found in the plumbing system of the home and in the treated drinking water system 1. The ameba was also found in the treated drinking water system in DeSoto Parish. In 2011, both parishes had a death associated with neti pot use 2.

Timeline of Events

References

  1. Cope JR, Ratard RC, Hill VR, Sokol T, Causey JJ, Yoder JS, Mirani G, Mull B, Mukerjee KA, Narayanan J, Doucet M, Qvarstrom Y, Poole CN, Akingbola OA, Ritter JM, Xiong Z, da Silva A, Roellig D, Van Dyke R, Stern H, Xiao L, Beach MJ. The first association of a primary amebic meningoencephalitis death with culturable Naegleria fowleri in tap water from a U.S. treated public drinking water system. Clin Infect Dis. 2015;doi:10.1093/cid/civ017.
  2. Yoder JS, Straif-Bourgeois S, Roy SL, Moore TA, Visvesvara GS, Ratard RC, Hill V, Wilson JD, Linscott AJ, Crager R, Kozak NA, Sriram R, Narayanan J, Mull B, Kahler AM, Schneeberger C, da Silva AJ, Beach MJ. Primary amebic meningoencephalitis deaths associated with sinus irrigation using contaminated tap water. Clin Infect Dis. 2012;1-7.
TOP