Naegleria fowleri claims year’s fifth life in city

A 29-year-old resident of District Central has died after being infected with the brain-eating amoeba Naegleria fowleri. According to the Sindh Health Department, the man passed away at a private hospital in Karachi on Friday.

Health officials said the patient developed symptoms on September 7, and was admitted to the hospital on Thursday. Despite treatment, he could not survive. Laboratory tests conducted after his death confirmed the presence of N. fowleri.

The officials also revealed the victim had not engaged in any water-related activities. His likely exposure was only through the regular use of tap water for drinking and bathing.

This marks the fifth death caused by N. fowleri in Karachi this year. Health authorities have urged residents to boil water before use, ensure proper cleaning of water tanks, and avoid letting water enter the nose to prevent an infection.

The city recorded its first death from Naegleria fowleri in February when a 36-year-old woman died from the disease, health officials announced in March.

The woman was a resident of Gulshan-e-Iqbal and died at a private hospital on February 23, according to Meeran Yousuf, media coordinator to the Sindh health minister.