The Further Adventures of Germ Girl

“The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals is warning residents about the dangers of the improper use of neti pots. The warning follows the state’s second death this year caused by Naegleria fowleri, the so-called brain-eating amoeba.

“A 51-year-old DeSoto Parish woman died recently after using tap water in a neti pot to irrigate her sinuses and becoming infected with the deadly amoeba.

“In June, a 20-year-old St. Bernard Parish man died under the same circumstances.

“Naegleria fowleri infects people by entering the body through the nose. A neti pot is commonly used to irrigate sinuses, and looks like a genie’s lamp.

” ‘If you are irrigating, flushing, or rinsing your sinuses, for example, by using a neti pot, use distilled, sterile or previously boiled water to make up the irrigation solution,’said Louisiana State Epidemiologist, Dr. Raoult Ratard. ‘Tap water is safe for drinking, but not for irrigating your nose.’ …”