Katherine Sidnell
A Florida man has died after contracting a brain-eating amoeba - with experts suspecting he was infected by contaminated tap water.
The unnamed man from Charlotte County passed away on February 20 due to the deadly Naegleria fowleri amoeba and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suspects he got the infection while rinsing his sinuses with tap water.
The CDC said in a statement: "On February 20, 2023, CDC received notification of a death from a confirmed Naegleria fowleri infection in a Florida resident.
"The adult patient reportedly performed nasal rinsing daily with unboiled tap water, which is thought to be the source of the infection.
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"CDC is supporting the Florida Department of Health in its investigation of the case. This is the first reported case of Naegleria fowleri infection in the United States this year, and the first ever reported in winter months in the United States."
It’s incredibly rare to die from Naegleria fowleri in the US, with only a handful of deaths each year – mostly from people swimming in warm lakes and rivers.
Of those that are infected, a shocking 97 percent die from the amoeba, with Florida having the highest number of fatalities, 37 in total, since records begin 1962.
The CDC reassured Floridians that infections via tap water are 'very rare', and set out the steps they should take to keep themselves safe.
The health body's statement continued: "In very rare instances, Naegleria fowleri infections might also occur when contaminated water from other sources (such as inadequately chlorinated swimming pool water or contaminated tap water) enters the nose.
"People who irrigate, flush, or rinse their sinuses should use distilled water or tap water that has been boiled and cooled."
Dr Debnath, an expert on the infection, told the Daily Mail: “It's quite rapid, it's very progressive. It literally eats the brain tissue.”
Sufferers can experience headaches, vomiting and nausea as the early infection progresses.
Their condition can worsen to include symptoms such as cognitive issues, seizures and stiff joints.
The Charlotte Health Department said it is investigating how the infection started and is working with local utility firms.
It advised residents to use distilled water for sinus rinse solutions, or boil tap water first and let it cool.
The department has also advised against allowing water into their nose while showering, bathing or swimming while they work to find the cause of the infection.