KARACHI:
The single-celled organism Naegleria fowleri, which is now being called the brain-eating amoeba, has claimed several lives in Karachi. Regrettably, the survival rate is zero once a person develops symptoms, which may include severe headache, high-grade fever, nausea, vomiting, disorientation, and seizure. Naegleria fowleri is extremely fatal and can lead to severe complications including comma and eventually death in a relatively short span of time.
The organism thrives in warm water and can be found in water bodies that have a low level such as lakes, ponds, rivers, swimming pools, fountains, etc. It is also found in freshwater sources including poorly chlorinated piped water used for domestic purposes. The main pathway through which naegleria enters the body is the nose. It travels through the nasal passages and enters the skull. Once there, it uses the human brain as a source of food and starts consuming it. This is when symptoms start to first occur. The more the brain is affected, the worse the condition of the infected individual gets.
The government must initiate chlorination campaigns at all major water reservoirs supplying water to the city. The cleanliness and repair of overhead tanks, household reservoirs, pumping stations and hydrants according to the recommendations of World Health Organization is also an urgent need.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 31st, 2022.
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