Naegleria takes three lives in one day: Karachi

KARACHI:

Lethal Naegleria Fowleri virus that is called the brain-eating amoeba has taken lives of three people during last 24 hours in Karachi, according to Sindh Health Department sources.

Muazzam, 30, resident of Fisheries area of the megacity succumbed his life to this deadly disease. Asif, 33, of Hub Choki also lost his life to this killer disease.

In view of the growing menace posed by the rampant virus in Karachi, the health department earlier formed a six-member committee to devise strategy and hash out preventive measures against the disease.

According to the research, Naegleria has more than 98 percent fatality rate. It is transmitted to brain when contaminated water enters the body through the nose.

The amoeba travels from the nasal membrane to the brain. Its initial diagnosis is quite difficult as its symptoms are very mild headache, stiff neck, fever and stomach pain.

The disease speedily takes life of the patient approximately five to seven days after the infection.

The disease first appeared in Karachi in 2006.