ISLAMABAD: Karachi has reported its second death of 2025 caused by Naegleria fowleri, the deadly brain-eating amoeba, according to the Sindh Health Department.
The victim, a 23-year-old man from Orangi Town, was admitted to the hospital on May 30 after showing symptoms that began two days earlier.
Despite medical efforts, he passed away on June 3, marking another tragic loss in Pakistan’s ongoing battle with this rare but almost always fatal infection.
Naegleria fowleri infections occur when contaminated water enters the body through the nose, and the amoeba then attacks the brain.
This infection is not contagious between people but has a fatality rate exceeding 98 percent.
Pakistan has seen a worrying increase in cases over recent years, with more than 100 deaths reported since the first case in 2008.
Details of the Latest Case
The Sindh Health Department noted that the deceased had no recent history of participating in water-related recreational activities, which are commonly linked to such infections.
His only exposure to water was routine domestic use and water at a nearby mosque for ablution purposes.
This highlights the risk posed even by daily water use in certain environments.
Symptoms of Naegleria fowleri infection include severe headache, high fever, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, and changes in taste.
The disease progresses rapidly, often leading to death within five to seven days of symptom onset.
Rising Cases in Pakistan
This death follows the first reported case of 2025 in March, when a 36-year-old woman from Karachi succumbed to the infection. In 2024 alone, Pakistan recorded five fatalities from Naegleria fowleri, emphasizing the need for increased public awareness and improved water safety measures to prevent further tragedies.
