KARACHI: The Sindh health department stated on Monday that three patients died of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a disease of the central nervous system caused by Naegleria fowleri (N. fowleri) last week in the city.

According to officials, three mortalities have so far been reported from N. fowleri, also referred to as a brain-eating amoeba, from Karachi last week.

The first case of a 32-year-old female patient, a resident of Qayyumabad, was reported on May 24, while the second case of a 45-year-old resident of Surjani Town, was reported on May 26. The third case of a 19-year-old boy was reported on May 28.

The deaths occurred at private and public sector hospitals where the patients presented with symptoms including high fever, vomiting, headache, and altered consciousness.

Sources said none of the patients had a history of swimming and the deadly infection apparently occurred due to exposure to non-chlorinated tap water.

“There is a dire need for general awareness that people should use clean, boiled water or sufficiently chlorinated water for nasal rinsing. Besides, they must ensure cleaning of their underground and overhead tanks before summer’s arrival as the germs get active in warm weather,” shared a health department official.

Published in Dawn, May 30th, 2023