KARACHI: The death toll from Naegleria fowleri in Sindh province has risen to five, following the demise of a 21-year-old individual in Karachi. The young man, hailing from the Defense area of the city, lost his life to the disease after swimming at a private defense academy, as reported by Dr. Abdul Hameed Jumani, the Director of Health Karachi.
Amidst the sweltering heatwave engulfing the city, the local population in search of relief has turned to swimming as a means of solace. Unfortunately, the insufficient presence of chlorine in the swimming pools has played a significant role in the proliferation of Naegleria fowleri, an extremely dangerous amoeba responsible for primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a severe neurological condition.
Dr. Jumani further revealed that the deceased individual initially complained of fever after swimming. Subsequently, his condition deteriorated, leading to his admission to a hospital on June 18. Unfortunately, he succumbed to the disease on July 6.
“We urge the public to exercise caution while swimming and during ablution,” emphasized Dr. Jumani during an interview with Private TV channel.
The Sindh health department has reported a total of five fatalities in the province due to Naegleria fowleri, with four cases originating from Karachi and one from Hyderabad. Naegleria fowleri is commonly found in water ponds and poses a serious threat as it causes primary amebic meningoencephalitis, a life-threatening illness affecting the central nervous system.
(Islamabad51-Newsdesk)
