LAHORE - First Naegleria patient has died at Services Hospital, Punjab Health Department officials confirmed yesterday.
Azhar Abbas, 28, a resident of Walton Cantt, was under treatment at the Services Hospital since last week. The officials, however, were not clear that how the ill fated Azhar developed Naegleria, a rare disease of brain caused by amoeba.
The department collected six water samples from the house and office of Azhar and nearby mosque, which were sent to the Institute of Public Health for analysis. The report says none of the water samples contains naegleria fowleri, a brain-eating amoeba commonly found in lakes, rivers and hot springs.
The amoeba infects people by entering the body through the nose. In rare instances, Naegleria infections may also occur when contaminated tap water enters the nose.
Adviser to Punjab Chief Minister on Health Kh Salman Rafiq has constituted a committee headed by EDO Health Lahore for monitoring surveillance and other steps regarding naegleria disease. He said that WASA, Walton Cantonment Board and Auqaf Department have been asked for chlorination of water supply, water ponds and water tanks of mosques for checking breeding of naegleria.
According to the Health EDO, naegleria is also found in America and Australia, however it is very rare disease. He said that only 150 cases of naegleria have been reported in America during last 40 years. “The disease is diagnosed at a time when fully spread in the brain. High grade fever, vomiting and stiffness in neck are the common symptoms. This is not an epidemic and the amoeba reaches brain only through nose.”
Generally amoeba is found in open ponds and water tanks, therefore, cleanliness and chlorination of water tanks and ponds is important for protection from this disease.