Naegleria fowleri strikes again: 19-year-old dies in Karachi
By Mukhtar Alam KARACHI: A 19-year-old man succumbed to Naegleria fowleri, a brain-eating amoeba, in Karachi, marking the fifth fatality in Sindh this year. Health authorities revealed the victim, a resident of Gulshan-i-Iqbal, suffered from the infection for 15 days before passing away on September 2. According to experts, Naegleria fowleri, which causes Primary Amoeba Meningoencephalitis (PAM), has claimed 95 lives in Karachi since its emergence 15 years ago. Pakistan ranks second globally in Naegleria fowleri-related deaths, after the United States. The amoeba thrives in inadequately chlorinated water, particularly during high temperatures. The victim's only exposure was regular use of water for ablution at home and a nearby mosque. With a 99% fatality rate, PAM cases rarely provide direct insight into symptoms and risk factors. Despite efforts, little is known about actions taken by health officers to address water quality concerns in affected areas. An official estimat...