PMA calls for prevention against naegleria

KARACHI:

The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has urged the government and the civic authorities to take preventive measures to prevent naegleria fowleri infection in the city.

The representative body of health practitioners said that naegleria fowleri commonly known as brain eating amoeba is a serious health issue that should not be overviewed. Recently six deaths due to naegleria fowleri have been reported - five from Karachi and one was from Baluchistan who also died in Karachi during his treatment.

“We fear that unreported deaths would be higher than the reported ones,” PMA said in a statement.

PMA suggested government to avoid any untoward situation by making sure to supply chlorinated water to citizens.

People are also requested to put chlorine in underground water tanks (one tablet in 1,000 gallons of water). Water tanks at homes, hospitals, schools, shopping malls and offices should be cleaned once a year.

“Chlorine price has gone higher these days because whenever we mention some product in the press its prices go up. So you can also use bleach powder. Take two table spoons of bleach powder make paste of it with water and put it into your water tank at night. Remember this is enough for 500 to 1500 gallons of water. This will kill naegleria present in your water storage,” PMA said.

PMA requests all the doctors particularly the general practitioners to take it seriously if a patient comes to them with symptoms of nausea, vomiting, head ache and high grade fever, such patient should be tested for naegleria. People should also visit their doctor immediately if having above mentioned symptoms.

People are compelled to consume contaminated water which causes waterborne diseases like Typhoid, Gastroenteritis, Hepatitis A, E and cholera. This contaminated water also carries a naegleria fowleri ameba which enters into brain through nostrils and start damaging brain. Brain eating amoeba eats front lobe of the brain. This causes meningio-encephalitis, which is fatal in 95% cases and affected person dies eventually.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 16^th, 2021.