Naegleria claims second life in Karachi in 2025

A 23-year-old man from the Orangi Town area of Karachi has fallen victim to Naegleria fowleri — commonly known as the brain-eating amoeba — becoming the second confirmed fatality from the deadly pathogen in Karachi this year, a spokesperson for the Sindh health department confirmed on Wednesday.

According to the official, the young man began experiencing symptoms on May 28 and was admitted to a private hospital on May 30. Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of Naegleria fowleri in his system on June 1. Despite intensive medical intervention, he succumbed to the infection on June 3, 2025.

What makes this case particularly concerning, health officials said, is that the victim had no recent history of swimming or exposure to recreational water sources, which were common risk factors for Naegleria infection.

“The only reported water exposure was his routine use of domestic water and ablution (wuzu) at a local mosque,” the health department spokesperson said. Naegleria fowleri is a free-living amoeba found in warm freshwater environments such as lakes, rivers and poorly chlorinated or non-chlorinated water supplies. It enters the human body through the nose and travels to the brain, causing a rare but nearly always fatal brain infection called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM).

“This is the second death in Sindh due to Naegleria this year, both of them reported from Karachi,” the spokesperson added, expressing concern over the persistent presence of the pathogen in the city’s water systems.

In 2024, Sindh reported six confirmed fatalities from Naegleria, all occurring during the summer months when temperatures rise and water usage increases. Public health experts warn that Karachi’s aging water infrastructure, low chlorine levels in municipal supplies, and poor monitoring of water storage tanks significantly contribute to the recurring threat. According to official standards, municipal water should maintain a minimum chlorine concentration of 0.5 ppm (parts per million) at consumer end points, but various independent assessments have shown that many areas in Karachi receive non-chlorinated or under-chlorinated water.

The health department has reiterated calls for residents to take preventive measures, including ensuring that domestic and mosque water tanks are regularly cleaned and properly chlorinated. “People should avoid letting water enter their noses while bathing or performing ablution, especially during summer,” the spokesperson advised.

Health officials also urge the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) to enhance chlorine monitoring and ensure compliance with safety levels across the distribution network. “Our teams are already working to inspect water samples from high-risk localities, including Orangi and nearby areas,” the department official added.

Naegleria fowleri infections remain rare but are almost always fatal. Globally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports a survival rate of less than 5 per cent, with only a handful of survivors recorded worldwide. In Pakistan, the first documented case of Naegleria was reported in 2008, and since then, dozens of deaths have been recorded—most of them in Karachi.

Health authorities have urged the citizens to remain cautious and report symptoms like headache, fever, nausea, and stiff neck without delay, as early diagnosis is crucial, though even with rapid treatment, survival chances are slim.