Karachi, August 02, 2018 (PPI-OT): The Health Department Government of Sindh has announced for the information of general public awareness that Naegleria Fowleri, ( Brain Eating Amoeba) lives naturally in moist warm fresh waterways including lakes, rivers, ponds, hot springs, soil and poorly maintained swimming pools that are minimally or un-chlorinated.
It infects people by entering the body through the nose during swimming or diving in warm fresh water places and travels to the brain where it destroys the brain tissues. The infection usually occurs during the months of summer when the water temperature is high. This infection is rapidly progressing diseases and 99% Fatal, but 100% preventable.
The mainstay of treatment is “prevention” which can be achieved through chlorination of water used for ‘ablution’ or ‘nasal rinsing’ or always use distilled or previously boiled and cooled water. The visiting public shall ensure that water I the swimming pools is adequately chlorinated and during swimming keep head above and war a nose clip or swim mask.
The Health Department, Government of Sindh is already addressing the issue on high priority basis and has formulated a technical focal group for addressing the issue. The owners of all swimming pools are instructed to ensure the chlorination status of water as per WHO standards.
The people are advised that in case of any person develops signs / symptoms he may rush to nearest heath care service provider at the earliest. The symptoms are fever, nausea, vomiting, severe frontal headache, stiff neck, seizures, altered mental status and eventual coma the announcement concluded.
For more information, contact:
Information and Archives Department
Directorate of Press Information
Government of Sindh
95-Sindh Secretariat 4-B, Karachi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-99204423, +92-21-99204401
Email: pressinformationzubair@gmail.com
Website: http://sindhinformation.gos.pk