KARACHI: The Sindh Health Department has confirmed the fourth death from Naegleria fowleri in the province this year, raising fresh concerns over public water safety and hygiene practices amid the ongoing summer season.
According to a preliminary case investigation report prepared by Dr. Aliza Ali, IDSR Focal Person for District Central Karachi, the latest victim was a 17-year-old male student, Syed Ali Raza Shah, a resident of District Central. He was admitted to Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) on June 26, 2025, after developing a sudden high-grade fever, body ache, and vomiting. He was reported to be in his usual state of health just three days before the onset of symptoms and had no known comorbidities.
Laboratory testing of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) confirmed the presence of Naegleria fowleri DNA through PCR analysis conducted at the AKU laboratory. Despite intensive care and ventilatory support, the patient’s condition rapidly deteriorated, and he passed away on June 28, 2025, at around 12:00 PM while on ventilator support in the medical ICU at AKUH.
Key Findings and Suspected Risk Factors
- The patient did not have a history of swimming or taking nasal ablution (wuzu) prior to illness.
- However, he did take a bath before the onset of illness.
- The household used Reverse Osmosis (RO) water for drinking and line water from an overhead tank for general use.
- There was no record of the household’s water storage tanks being cleaned in the past six months.
Public Health Response
Due to the family’s engagement in funeral arrangements, field response activities were delayed and are scheduled to begin post-funeral. The Sindh Health Department has planned awareness sessions in the affected area on June 29 and 30, 2025. The case has been reported to higher authorities for further investigation and planning.
What Is Naegleria Fowleri?
Naegleria fowleri, also known as the “brain-eating amoeba,” is a rare but deadly organism that infects the brain through the nasal passage, typically after exposure to warm or contaminated water. It causes Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), which is almost always fatal. Infection cannot occur through drinking contaminated water but only when water enters the nose.
Health Advisory
The Sindh Health Department urges citizens to:
- Ensure proper chlorination of water tanks and pipelines.
- Avoid letting water enter the nose during bathing or ablution.
- Use boiled or adequately treated water for nasal rinsing.
- Regularly clean overhead and underground water storage tanks.
This is the fourth confirmed Naegleria-related death in Sindh in 2025, all reported from Karachi. Health authorities have warned that summer months pose a higher risk for such infections and have called on the public to strictly follow water hygiene guidelines.
