Sindh health authorities reported a second death within a week from Naegleria fowleri, commonly known as the brain-eating amoeba, in Karachi, bringing the death toll to 10 this year. The recent victim, a 22-year-old student, succumbed to complications related to the deadly infection, following symptoms of high fever, headache, and vomiting.
This marks the second fatality within a week in North Karachi, with the previous victim being a 45-year-old shopkeeper from the same locality who fell victim to Naegleria fowleri on Oct 24. Both victims had no history of swimming, challenging the assumption that the infection might have been contracted through nasal passages during aquatic activities.
The health department is actively investigating the cases, and directives have been issued to collect water samples from the affected area for further analysis. The notification emphasized the need for preventive measures at both individual and community levels.
Health Services Karachi Director Dr Abdul Hamid Jumani stressed the importance of community ownership in combating the spread of the deadly amoeba. He highlighted that the health department, in collaboration with the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation, regularly collects water samples from affected areas when Naegleria-related deaths are identified.
Dr Jumani pointed out that potential sources of contamination include the lack of chlorination at different levels in the water supply system. He urged for a mandatory protocol ensuring periodic cleaning of water tanks in homes and high-rise buildings to create an unfavorable environment for the amoeba.
While Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation officials rejected lapses in their system, blaming the deaths on the lack of cleaning and hygiene practices at the household and community level, health authorities continue to emphasize the importance of preventive measures and community involvement.
Naegleria fowleri, responsible for Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), is a free-living amoeba commonly found in warm fresh water and soil. In Karachi, over 100 cases of Naegleria fowleri have been reported since 2012, with a high fatality rate of 98 percent. The infection occurs when water containing the amoeba enters the body through the nose, posing a severe threat to human life.
