Brain-eating amoeba claims another life in Karachi

A 17-year-old resident of North Karachi has died from a brain infection caused by Naegleria fowleri, bringing the total number of deaths from the rare but deadly amoeba in Karachi this year to four, the Sindh Health Department confirmed on Saturday.

According to a health department spokesperson, the patient tested positive for the infection on June 27 and passed away today. This marks the fourth Naegleria-related fatality in Karachi in 2025.

The country’s first death due to Naegleria fowleri this year was reported in March when a 36-year-old woman from Gulshan-e-Iqbal died. Investigations indicated she had not engaged in any recreational water activity, with her only exposure to water being while performing ablution at home.

It is worth noting that Pakistan recorded five deaths from Naegleria in 2024, four in Karachi and one in Hyderabad.

Medical professionals warn that the amoeba typically infects individuals when contaminated water enters the nasal cavity during swimming, bathing, or ablution. Once inside, it travels to the brain and causes severe neurological damage.

The organism thrives in warm water and feeds on bacteria, but it can be effectively eliminated through chlorination or boiling.

Health experts continue to stress the need for proper chlorination of water supplies to prevent infections. They also recommend that people clean their underground and overhead water tanks before summer and regularly use chlorine tablets to ensure water safety.