CDC

Texas woman dies from rare brain infection linked to nasal rinse with RV tap water

June 18, 2025

A 71-year-old woman developed severe neurological symptoms just days after using a nasal irrigation device filled with tap water from her RV’s water system while camping in Texas. Despite medical intervention, she died eight days after symptoms began. Lab testing confirmed infection with Naegleria fowleri, a rare but deadly brain-eating ameba that causes primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). Although the organism was not isolated from the RV’s water, the system was found to be inadequately disinfected.

This case underscores the importance of using only distilled, sterile, or previously boiled and cooled water for nasal rinsing. CDC warns that improperly maintained RV water systems can harbor dangerous pathogens, and this incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for safe water practices, particularly when traveling or using alternative water sources.

Source:

Smith OA, et al. (2025, May 29). CDC. Notes from the Field: Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis Associated with Nasal Irrigation Using Water from a Recreational Vehicle — Texas, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/74/wr/mm7419a4.htm