KARACHI:Third case of Naegleria fowleri, brain-eating amoeba, was reported in a private hospital of Karachi on Friday while two other persons have already died from deadly Naegleria in the city so far.
A 34-year old man, Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui, is under treatment in a private hospital of Karachi and his condition is termed very critical. Shoaib is the resident of Liaqtabad area of Karachi. He was shifted to private hospital in critical condition where he was shifted to ventilator.
Experts said Naegleria fowleri infects people when water containing the ameba enters the body through nose. This typically occurs when people go swimming or diving in warm freshwater places like lakes and rivers. The Naegleria fowleri ameba then travels up the nose to the brain where it destroys the brain tissue.
Earlier, A 21-year old student Anas s/o Aslam resident of Orangi Town died due to Naegleria fowlerri at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC). The second case was reported from Kharadar area of Karachi where a 44-years-old man Rasheed Shah died due to the brain-eating amoeba.
The naegleria fowleri is a brain-eating amoeba that enters bodu through a person’s nose and starts consuming brain tissue. The amoeba loves warm water and can survive in high temperatures. The fresh water bodies such as ponds, lakes, swimming pools, as well as underground and overhead tanks are the most common points.
Sindh Health Department had also constituted a focal group to formulate strategy for control of Naegleria Fowleri infection. The Focal Group for Control Naegleria is led by Dr Syed Zafar Mehdi.
The Focal Group constituted to control of Naegleria Fowleri is assigned to take samples of water from various localities of the city i.e., swimming pools, water reservoir/ pumping stations/ farm houses, etc., and also from tap water and its proper testing to prevent people from Naegleria fowleri. The Focal Group is also tasked for chlorination of water as per World Health Organization (WHO) standards.