Karachi witnesses first Naegleria death of 2025

Karachi: A 36-year-old woman from Gulshan-e-Iqbal has become Karachi’s first fatality from Naegleria fowleri this year, health officials confirmed on Monday.

The deadly infection, caused by the brain-eating amoeba, claimed her life last month.

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 on February 19. Despite medical efforts, she passed away on February 23, and her infection was confirmed a day later, on February 24.

Health officials investigating the case revealed that the woman had no known history of engaging in water-related activities such as swimming or diving. Her only exposure to water was through routine ablution (wuzu) performed at home five times a day.

“This is the first Naegleria fowleri-related death of 2025,” Yousuf stated.

Naegleria fowleri, commonly referred to as the "brain-eating amoeba," causes a rare but almost always fatal infection called Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM). The disease has a 98% fatality rate once symptoms appear.

A free-living amoeba, Naegleria thrives in warm freshwater environments such as lakes, rivers, hot springs, and soil. While multiple species of Naegleria exist, only Naegleria fowleri infects humans.

The amoeba enters the body through the nose, typically during activities like swimming, diving, or submerging the head in contaminated water.

The case has raised fresh concerns about water safety and hygiene practices in Karachi, particularly regarding chlorination levels in domestic and public water supplies.

Authorities have urged citizens to take preventive measures, including ensuring proper water disinfection, using boiled or chlorinated water for ablution, and avoiding the unnecessary exposure of nasal passages to untreated water.

Health officials continue to monitor the situation to prevent further cases.