A 21-year-old resident of DHA, Salman Ahmed, tragically succumbed to the ‘brain-eating amoeba,’ Naegleria fowleri, on Thursday. Ahmed was admitted to a private hospital on June 18 after developing a fever. Despite receiving ventilator support, his health continued to deteriorate, leading to his passing on July 6.
Karachi Alarmed by Rising Naegleria-Related Deaths
With Ahmed’s death, the total number of Naegleria-related fatalities has reached six. Among these cases, four occurred in Karachi, while Quetta and Hyderabad reported one each. The rising number of incidents is raising alarms among health authorities.
Chlorine Levels in Karachi’s Water Supply Concerns
Investigations into Ahmed’s case revealed a possible link to a private academy’s swimming pool in DHA, where he had bathed. Samples collected from the pool indicated low chlorine levels, prompting further analysis. Experts are pointing fingers at the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board for insufficient chlorine levels in the city’s water supply, while also highlighting the deteriorating sewage lines as a potential threat to water quality and safety.
