Naegleria fowleri: Swimming with Death as the Major Outbreak in Pakistan

Abstract

Naegleria fowleri is commonly known as “braineating ameba” is an ameba usually present in swimming pools, rivers, lakes; and causes Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM) a lethal brain infection in humans. This infectious agent is found all over the world and some of the deaths are recently reported in Sindh Province of Pakistan. In 2008, first case of N. fowleri was reported in Pakistan. Deaths were also reported in 2013-2016. In last four years, 42 deaths have been reported in Pakistan. Chlorination is to be done to kill the organism, while there are no proper chlorination procedures followed in Sindh, Pakistan where most of the cases are reported (1-3).