Latest news with #Naegleria
New York Post
3 days ago
- Health
- New York Post
Texas woman died after rinsing sinuses with infected tap water — here's how to keep yourself safe
A 71-year-old woman reportedly contracted a brain infection from using tap water — and died from it. Regardless of whether tap water is safe to consume where you live, experts advise against letting it go into your sinuses — or you risk being exposed to a brain-eating condition, like this unidentified woman. According to the CDC, if water contains amoeba — single-celled organisms — and it gets into a person's nose, it can travel to the brain and cause the fatal infection, commonly known as 'brain-eating amoeba' but the technical term for it is Naegleria fowleri, which is what most likely happened to this woman. Naegleria fowleri is a rare but deadly condition. Susan Vineyard – Although the Texas Department of State Health Services claims that the sink water in the area is safe to consume, they believe the woman rinsed her sinuses from an RV's water system at a campground and was infected by Naegleria fowleri, as explained by the Daily Mail. The condition — typically found in warm water lakes and rivers — is rare, but it's deadly — killing almost 97% of people who contract it. The CDC reported 157 confirmed cases in the nation between 1962 and 2022. And reportedly, Texas is one of the few US states that has the largest number of amoeba cases. In addition to Texas, Florida has also fallen victim to this terrifying infection. In 2023, a Florida woman contracted the brain-eating infection the same way the Texas woman did — and died from it. Experts recommend a few different ways to avoid possibly getting infected with this condition. Getty Images 'The adult patient reportedly performed nasal rinsing daily with unboiled tap water, which is thought to be the source of the infection,' the CDC said in a statement to Fox 4. Symptoms of Naegleria fowleri start to show up about 15 days after a person has been exposed. They can range from a mild fever, headache, nausea and vomiting — to more severe ones like a stiff neck, confusion, lack of attention, loss of balance and seizures. Unfortunately, once a person has been exposed and severely infected — even with treatment, most will die from it. Regardless of where someone lives and the quality of their area's tap water — to avoid any potential exposure to this serious condition, experts recommend boiling water before rinsing sinuses with it or using distilled water, avoid going underwater in a bathtub or freshwater. It's also recommended to supervise children playing with sprinklers, and if you haven't been home in a few days, let water run for several minutes in sinks or showers to flush out stagnant water.
Express Tribune
27-04-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Neglect plagues city's water filtration plants
Six out of nine water filtration plants are in disrepair in Karachi city, where only 150 cylinders of chlorine are available each month. PHOTO: PIXABAY Where the supply of water remains an incessant woe, plaguing the peace of locals in Karachi, it appears that even the measly quantity of water supplied to the residents is not fit for consumption. Most of the water filtration plants of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KW&SC) have been in disrepair in the city for many years. As a result, due to an inadequate amount of chlorine mixed in the water, many diseases, especially the deadly Naegleria, risk spreading among the local population. Talking to The Express Tribune, General Secretary of the People's Labour Union Mohsin Raza disclosed that the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KW&SC) has nine filter plants, out of which only three are in working condition while the remaining six have been in disrepair for many years. 'As a result, forty percent less chlorine is being added to the water supply in Karachi. Hence, the water reaching all districts across the city is not disinfected and is causing various types of diseases among the citizens. Due to the negligence of the top officials of the Water Corporation, the required amount of chlorine cylinders has not been available for a long time. At some places, the staff adds the right amount of chlorine during the day but at night, chlorine is mixed in less quantity. Approximately, 645 million gallons of water is being supplied daily to the city. For this amount of water, 240 cylinders of chlorine should be available per month; however, only 150 cylinders are being supplied,' revealed Raza. On the other hand, a spokesperson for the KW&SC while talking to The Express Tribune claimed that all nine filter plants with 32 chlorinators located across six different locations were functional. 'Chlorine tablets are being added to all water tankers going from the government hydrants of the Water Corporation. Apart from this, water samples are being analyzed on a regular basis in various laboratories of the Water Corporation,' claimed the spokesperson. The on-ground reality, however, proves otherwise. Last year, the Health Department of Sindh obtained more than 50 water samples from different districts of the city before testing them at the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB's) laboratory. The results confirmed the presence of several contaminants including pathogenic bacteria like Vibrio cholerae, E. coli and total coliforms, all of which culminated into a diarrhoea outbreak, which affected at least 20,000 children between April to September last year. Similarly, Naegleria fowleri, which grows in contaminated water and is activated at 35 degrees Celsius, claimed four lives last year in Karachi. Just recently, a woman died of Naegleria in the Gulshan-e-Iqbal area of District East. Hence, it is expected that the amoeba will cause several casualties during the upcoming harsh summer months. Cardiologist and health expert Dr Muhammad Akram Sultan revealed that if there is excess chlorine in water and it is used continuously, it will cause eye irritation, difficulty in breathing, coughing, vomiting, itching and stomach pain. "Water that has a high chlorine content and is used for a long time can also cause bladder and anal cancer," informed Dr Sultan. While commenting on the precautionary measures needed to control the spread of Naegleria, the KW&SC spokesperson advised citizens to clean the overhead and underground tanks storing water on a monthly basis and avoid bathing in swimming pools, ponds and reservoirs with unchlorinated water. 'Apart from this, citizens should use one chlorine tablet in a 1,000-gallon water tank, which is enough for 15 days. People should use boiled or chlorinated water while performing ablution and bathing or for cleaning the nose in general,' emphasized the official.
Express Tribune
10-03-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Brain eating amoeba raises its ugly head
Maryam Shakeel, a 36-year-old woman from Karachi, has fallen victim to a rare and deadly infection, succumbing to the Naegleria that has been lurking in the city's water supply. Maryam died despite medical efforts, highlighting the concern over the presence of the brain-eating amoeba in the city's water. The deceased was admitted to the hospital on February 19 after experiencing severe fever symptoms. Her medical tests confirmed the presence of Naegleria, a waterborne amoeba, on February 24. Despite medical efforts, she passed away in the following days. District Health Officer of East Karachi Dr Zahid Solangi confirmed to The Express Tribune that the woman had tested positive for Naegleria, leading to her demise. He explained that the amoeba thrives in clean water during extreme heat conditions, particularly when temperatures exceed 35°C. The deceased, identified as Maryam Shakeel, was a resident of Gulshan-e-Iqbal. A report on her death has been sent to the Director General of Health, and authorities have been advised to ensure proper chlorination of water supplies. Dr Solangi emphasised that insufficient chlorine levels in water lead to the growth of Naegleria and other harmful microorganisms. He further stated that the only way to prevent Naegleria is to ensure that water tanks contain the required amount of chlorine. Notably, Naegleria is an incurable disease. The amoeba enters the human brain through the nose and mouth, leading to fatal consequences.
Express Tribune
10-03-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Karachi records first death from Naegleria fowleri this year
Listen to article Karachi has recorded its first death from Naegleria this year, with a 36-year-old woman from Gulshan-e-Iqbal succumbing to the brain-eating amoeba, Naegleria fowleri, Express News reported. According to the Sindh Health Department, the woman first showed symptoms on 18 February 2025. She was admitted to a private hospital on 19 February and passed away on 23 February. A laboratory report on 24 February confirmed the presence of Naegleria fowleri. Investigations revealed that the woman had not engaged in any water-related activities. However, experts suggest that the infection could have been contracted during the act of performing ablution (wudu), as the deadly amoeba is typically found in warm water and can enter the brain via the nasal passages, causing severe damage. Initial symptoms of the infection include severe headaches, fever, nausea, neck stiffness, confusion, and unconsciousness, often leading to death within days. Health professionals recommend the addition of chlorine tablets to water to eliminate harmful pathogens and reduce the risk of infection.
