Tragic rise in Naegleria-related deaths in Karachi: Toll reaches 11

KARACHI: The lethal “brain-eating amoeba,” Naegleria, has claimed another life in Karachi, with the death toll now standing at 11, according to a spokesperson from the health department.

The latest victim, 45-year-old Kashif Qamar from District Central, was admitted to a private hospital on November 1, where he had been battling fever and severe headaches for three days.

Kashif tragically lost his life just three days after being diagnosed with Naegleria through a PCR test.

In response to this concerning situation, Interim Minister of Health, Saad Khalid Niaz, has urged the public to adhere to safety precautions. He also directed the authorities to conduct water sample testing throughout the city and assess the chlorine levels in the water supply.

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Meanwhile, health officials in Sindh have engaged in discussions with high-level representatives from the Water Corporation to devise strategies aimed at preventing Naegleria-related cases. The water board officials have pledged their commitment to ensuring that facilities provided to the public adhere to the World Health Organization’s established standards.

They have also confirmed that the appropriate levels of chlorine are being added to the water, and chlorine tanks are being incorporated into all water tankers dispatched from the hydrants.

Chief Operating Officer of the Water Corporation, Engineer Asadullah Khan, conducted a significant meeting with the Director General of Health Sindh, Dr. Abdul Hameed Jumani, at the Chairman Secretariat Karsaz to address these critical issues.