Louisiana Reports 10 Acanthamoeba Infections, Leading to Vision Loss and One Death
Louisiana has reported 10 cases of Acanthamoeba infections since 2024, leading to one death from a brain infection and five instances of permanent vision loss, with many cases linked to contact lens wearers.
Lima, OH, November 8, 2026 —
Louisiana has recorded 10 cases of Acanthamoeba infections since the beginning of 2024, with serious health consequences reported for several individuals. The infections have resulted in at least one fatality due to a brain infection and five cases of permanent vision loss.
Acanthamoeba infections are typically caused by a type of amoeba (a single-celled organism) found commonly in tap water, well water, and lakes. While these amoebas are widespread, infections are rare, particularly the severe forms affecting the brain and eyes. Health officials note that a significant number of the reported cases in Louisiana are linked to individuals who wear contact lenses.
The specific strain of Acanthamoeba causing these infections and the precise circumstances leading to each case have not been detailed. However, experts have previously warned that improper contact lens hygiene, such as using tap water to clean lenses or storing them in tap water, can increase the risk of contracting the infection. The amoeba can enter the eye through contaminated contact lens solution or water, leading to Acanthamoeba keratitis, a painful inflammation of the cornea that can severely impair vision.
The summary provided indicates one death resulted from a brain infection, which is a less common but extremely serious manifestation of Acanthamoeba. The specific details surrounding this fatality, including the timeline and any contributing factors beyond the infection, were not disclosed.
Of the 10 reported cases, five individuals have suffered permanent vision loss. This outcome underscores the aggressive nature of the infection and the potential for lasting damage to the ocular tissues. Information regarding the treatment outcomes for the remaining four cases was not specified in the summary.
The exact dates for each of the 10 cases occurring since 2024 were not provided, nor were specific geographic locations within Louisiana detailed. The summary also did not specify if any public health advisories or investigations have been initiated by state or local health departments in response to this cluster of cases, beyond the general observation linking them to contact lens wear.
Story summarized from the original created by Georgia Peck, Gray News staff on www.hometownstations.com, see more information here.
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