Reemergence of deadly brain-eating amoeba sets off alarms

21-year-old resident of DHA becomes sixth victim of Naegleria

KARACHI:

The deadly brain-eating bacteria, Naegleria, has resurfaced in the metropolitan city, prompting concerns among health officials. The Sindh Health Department has confirmed the sixth death from Naegleria in the city. In light of this alarming development, medical experts are urging citizens to take immediate preventive measures, including the addition of chlorine to their water tanks.

According to Abdul Hameed Jumani, the Director General of Health Services in Karachi, a 21-year-old resident of Defence Housing Authority (DHA) was admitted to a private hospital on June 18 with a persistently high fever. As the victim's condition rapidly deteriorated, he was put on the ventilator but succumbed to the infection on Thursday. It was revealed that the young individual had recently taken a bath in the swimming pool of a private academy in DHA, which is believed to be the likely source of the infection.

Read more: Brain-eating amoeba kills one in Karachi

The city has now recorded a total of six deaths attributed to the brain-eating bacteria, with four cases originating in Karachi, one in Quetta, and another in Hyderabad. Notably, last year alone witnessed five fatalities caused by the same pathogen.

Medical experts have emphasized the recognizable symptoms of Naegleria infection, which include severe headaches, high fever, nausea, vomiting, stiffness in the neck, altered mental state, and seizures. Naegleria fowleri, the amoeba responsible for this infection, can be effectively neutralised by the use of chlorine. Therefore, citizens are strongly advised to proactively add chlorine to their water tanks as a crucial precautionary measure.