KARACHI: Pakistan’s most populated city, Karachi has reported its first death from Naegleria fowleri, a rare but deadly brain-eating amoeba, in 2025.
According to the Sindh Health Department, the brain-eating amoeba claimed the life of a 36-year-old woman from the Gulshan-e-Iqbal neighbourhood of the city.
The woman first showed symptoms on 18 February 2025. She was admitted to a private hospital on 19 February and passed away on 23 February.
A laboratory report from 24 February confirmed the presence of Naegleria fowleri. Investigations revealed that the woman had not participated in any water-related activities.
However, experts suggest that the infection may have been contracted during the act of performing ablution (wudu), as the deadly amoeba is commonly found in warm water and can enter the brain through the nasal passages, leading to severe damage.
Naegleria fowleri infection presents with symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, vomiting, and neck stiffness. In its advanced stages, the infection can lead to coma and, ultimately, death.
The advisory stresses the importance of maintaining proper chlorine levels in water supplies to prevent the amoeba’s growth, especially during periods of high temperatures.
Health professionals recommend the addition of chlorine tablets to water to eliminate harmful pathogens and reduce the risk of infection.
The National Institute of Health (NIH) had previously issued an advisory in June last year due to a spike in cases of the deadly amoeba. Since its detection in Pakistan in 2008, Naegleria fowleri has caused several cases and fatalities, primarily in Karachi.
The NIH advisory highlighted the need for vigilance in managing water quality, as the amoeba thrives in inadequately chlorinated water.
