Karachi, March 10, 2025: A 36-year-old woman from Gulshan-e-Iqbal has become Karachi’s first victim of Naegleria fowleri this year, health officials confirmed on Monday.
According to Meeran Yousuf, media coordinator to the Sindh Health Minister, the patient developed symptoms on February 18 and was admitted to a private hospital the next day. She passed away on February 23, with Naegleria fowleri confirmed as the cause on February 24.
Investigations revealed that the deceased had not engaged in any water-related activities, such as swimming or diving. Her only known exposure was regular ablution (wuzu) at home, suggesting the presence of the deadly amoeba in the domestic water supply.
“This is the first confirmed Naegleria fowleri death in Karachi this year,” Yousuf stated.
Popularly known as the “brain-eating amoeba,” Naegleria fowleri is a free-living microorganism found in warm freshwater sources, such as lakes, rivers, and poorly treated water supplies. It causes Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), a rare but nearly always fatal infection that destroys brain tissue.
The amoeba enters the body through the nose—usually during swimming, diving, or using contaminated water. It then travels to the brain, where it rapidly destroys tissue, leading to death within days.
The initial symptoms of PAM, appearing within five days of exposure, include headache, fever
nausea & vomiting. As the infection progresses, it can cause stiff neck, confusion, seizures, hallucinations and coma.
Once symptoms appear, the disease progresses quickly, often leading to death within five days.
Health experts emphasize that Naegleria cannot survive in cool, clean, and properly chlorinated water. To reduce the risk ensure proper chlorination of domestic water supplies, use boiled or filtered water for ablution (wuzu) and avoid getting untreated water up the nose.
As Karachi battles its first Naegleria case of 2025, authorities are urging the public to take precautionary measures to prevent further infections.
