A 19-year-old resident of East Karachi has become the fifth victim of Naegleriafowleri, the brain-eating amoeba, this year, according to the Sindh Health Department.
The young man had been hospitalized for the past 12 days with severe symptoms before passing away. This latest death increases the total number of Naegleria-related fatalities in Sindh to five—four in Karachi and one in Hyderabad. In response to rising cases, the National Institute of Health (NIH) issued an advisory in June, highlighting the risks associated with Naegleriafowleri. The advisory noted that since 2008, there have been reported cases and deaths from the amoeba in various cities, including Karachi. Symptoms of Naegleriafowleri include high fever, headache, vomiting, and neck stiffness. In its final stage, the infection can lead to coma.
The advisory urged the water supply department to ensure that water is adequately chlorinated, as insufficient chlorine levels, particularly in high temperatures, can contribute to the growth of Naegleriafowleri.
