Naegleria Infection Claims Life in Karachi

Photo by Nahi Khabar 24/7 – via Personal Collection

A 30-year-old man has died in Karachi after contracting the deadly Naegleria fowleri infection, commonly known as the “brain-eating amoeba,” health officials confirmed on Saturday.

According to the Sindh Health Department, the patient was admitted to a local hospital earlier this week with severe symptoms, including high fever, vomiting, and intense headache. Despite medical intervention, he succumbed to the infection within a few days.

Authorities revealed that the victim had no recent history of travel but was likely exposed to contaminated water. The incident has raised alarm over the city’s poor chlorination system, as Naegleria thrives in warm, untreated, or inadequately chlorinated water.

Health experts have once again urged citizens to adopt preventive measures, such as:

• Using boiled or chlorinated water for nasal cleansing.
• Ensuring swimming pools are properly disinfected.
• Avoiding direct exposure to untreated tap water.

This is the latest reported death from Naegleria in Karachi this year, underscoring the urgent need for improved water safety and public awareness campaigns.