Last Updated on 14/07/2024 by wccexam Desk
In a tragic incident, a 22-year-old man from Karachi, Pakistan, has died from primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), commonly known as “brain-eating amoeba”. The young man contracted the infection after going swimming, making this the third such death reported in Karachi this year
The single-celled, microscopic organism responsible for the infection is called Naegleria fowleri. It typically thrives in warm bodies of water such as ponds, lakes, rivers, and hot springs. When water containing the amoeba enters the body through the nose, usually during swimming or diving, it can travel to the brain, causing severe inflammation and a deadly infection.
Symptoms of PAM include headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, and seizures. In the recent case, the patient developed a headache and fever after his swimming trip, with symptoms lasting for four days. He was admitted to a hospital in critical condition but ultimately succumbed to a heart attack.
Pakistan has the second-highest prevalence of Naegleria fowleri infections in the world, with hundreds of cases reported in the last five decades[3]. Experts attribute this to global warming-related environmental changes, as the amoeba proliferates rapidly at higher temperatures.
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In response to the latest incident, health officials in Karachi have advised people to use chlorinated water for domestic purposes. Investigations are also underway to assess the safety of drinking water sources and swimming pools in the city.
Naegleria fowleri infections are extremely rare, with only around 400 cases diagnosed worldwide. However, the mortality rate is alarmingly high, with most people dying within 1 to 18 days after symptoms appear. Currently, there are no effective treatments for PAM, and doctors have been managing the disease with a combination of drugs,
This tragic loss of life serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining proper hygiene and safety measures when engaging in water-related activities. Health authorities must continue to monitor and address the threat posed by brain-eating amoebas to prevent further tragedies in Pakistan and beyond.