**KARACHI, September 13, 2025** – Sindh province has reported its fifth fatality of the year from Naegleria fowleri, commonly known as the “brain-eating amoeba,” after a 29-year-old man from Karachi died in a private hospital earlier this week. The death was confirmed by the Sindh health department on Saturday.
The victim, whose identity has not been released, began experiencing symptoms on September 7 and was admitted to a hospital on September 11. Meeran Yousuf, media coordinator for the Sindh health minister, confirmed to Dawn.com that the presence of Naegleria fowleri was only verified on September 12, following the patient’s death.
A critical detail emerging from the investigation is that the patient had not engaged in any recreational water activities, such as swimming or diving. Instead, his only known exposure was through the regular use of tap water for drinking and bathing, according to the health department coordinator. This raises concerns about the safety of the public water supply.
This latest death marks a worrying trend in Sindh, bringing the total number of Naegleria-related fatalities in the province to five for 2025. The recurring nature of these cases has prompted calls for increased vigilance regarding water quality.
Naegleria fowleri is a microscopic amoeba typically found in warm fresh water environments, including lakes, rivers, and hot springs, as well as in soil. It causes infection when water containing the amoeba enters the body through the nose, usually when individuals submerge their heads in contaminated water. The amoeba then travels to the brain, where it destroys tissue and leads to a severe and almost always fatal infection known as Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM).
Initial symptoms of PAM usually appear about five days after infection and can include headaches, fever, nausea, or vomiting. As the disease progresses rapidly, later symptoms may involve a stiff neck, confusion, lack of attention to surroundings, seizures, hallucinations, and ultimately, coma. Death typically occurs within five days of symptom onset.
Health officials emphasize that the amoeba cannot survive in cool, clean, and properly chlorinated water. Public awareness about safe water practices and the importance of ensuring chlorinated water supplies remains crucial in preventing future infections.
