The 44-year-old Karachi man, who was earlier confirmed as the city’s first Naegleria fowleri patient of the year, has died despite intensive medical treatment, health officials confirmed.
The patient, a resident of Korangi No. 4, had been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a private hospital after developing severe neurological complications. He remained on ventilator support but succumbed to the infection on Tuesday afternoon.
The death marks Karachi’s first reported fatality from Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM) — the brain infection caused by Naegleria fowleri this year.
Hospital officials said the man was admitted on July 5 with a high fever, seizures and irregular breathing. He was initially treated for a suspected nervous system infection before laboratory tests confirmed Naegleria fowleri. Despite aggressive treatment, his condition continued to deteriorate.
The case has renewed concerns over the quality of Karachi’s water supply, as hospital officials said the patient had no history of swimming or other recreational water activities. They believe he most likely contracted the infection after contaminated, inadequately chlorinated tap water entered his nose, possibly during routine household use or ablution.
In the family’s earlier account, relatives said the prolonged stay at a private hospital had placed an overwhelming financial burden on them, and they were exploring the possibility of transferring him to a public-sector hospital due to mounting treatment costs.
Medical experts and the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) have urged residents to ensure adequate chlorination of domestic water supplies, clean household water tanks regularly, and use boiled, sterile or properly filtered water for nasal rinsing and ablution where water quality is uncertain.
They also advise avoiding swimming in inadequately chlorinated pools and warm freshwater bodies during the summer months.
