Health authorities have uncovered concerning ties between using tap water in nasal rinsing tools like neti pots and a fresh strain of potentially lethal amoebic infection.
Although it’s already established that using non-sterile water in devices like neti pots to cleanse sinuses bears a slight risk of infection from Naegleria fowleri, infamously known as the “brain-eating amoeba,” recent research has illuminated another peril.
Outlined in a report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Acanthamoeba, a widespread amoeba found in soil and various water sources including lakes, rivers, and tap water, has been linked to infections stemming from the use of neti pots.
The study recounts cases of 10 individuals contracting Acanthamoeba infections after employing tap water for nasal rinsing, all of whom were immunocompromised. Astonishingly, seven of them managed to survive, defying the typically high mortality rate associated with Acanthamoeba infections. What’s more alarming is that nine of these infections occurred within the past decade.
While the CDC couldn’t conclusively ascertain neti pot usage as the transmission route, all 10 cases reported engaging in nasal rinsing before falling ill. The onset of symptoms varied, with one individual experiencing them after two weeks of rinsing, while others had been practicing this for years. The frequency of nasal rinsing among these individuals ranged from weekly to multiple times daily.
Despite Acanthamoeba and similar amoebas being detected in over half of tap water samples in the United States, recent findings revealed a significant misconception among American adults, with 33% believing tap water to be sterile and 62% considering it safe for nasal rinsing devices.
The CDC strongly advises individuals using nasal rinsing tools to opt for boiled, sterile, or distilled water. They recommend boiling tap water for at least 1 minute or 3 minutes at altitudes exceeding 1,980 meters, allowing it to cool before use.
In a tragic incident in February 2023, a Florida man succumbed to a Naegleria fowleri infection, possibly linked to tap water usage for sinus rinsing, highlighting the critical importance of adhering to proper water hygiene practices.