Third Fatality from 'Brain-Eating' Amoeba Strikes Karachi

A young man in Karachi has died from primary amoebic meningoencephalitis caused by Naegleria fowleri. This marks the third death this year in the city due to this rare but deadly infection. The disease, known for its rapid progression and high fatality rate, primarily affects the central nervous system.

In a rare but devastating occurrence, a 22-year-old man from Karachi has succumbed to primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), bringing the year's death toll to three, according to ARY News. PAM is a fatal central nervous system infection caused by Naegleria fowleri, often referred to as the 'brain-eating' amoeba.

The victim, identified as Aurangzeb, fell ill after a picnic and swim at a farmhouse in Quaidabad on July 7. He began displaying symptoms, including nausea and fever, the following day. Admitted to the hospital on July 10, the diagnosis was confirmed on July 11. A resident of Cattle Colony, Aurangzeb was treated at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre.

This year, Karachi has already reported two other PAM-related deaths in Korangi and Malir. Historically fatal in 98 per cent of cases, Naegleria fowleri is commonly found in warm, freshwater environments like lakes and rivers. It infects humans when contaminated water enters the body through the nose, rapidly causing severe brain damage and death within days.