The first case of the brain-eating amoeba Naegleria has been reported, posing a serious health threat to Lahore. The worrying incident exposed the health department’s incompetence, putting the lives of residents of Lahore in danger.
Mustafa Shafiq, a 32-year-old fitness instructor, is the main patient in this case. He had a fever and a headache for four days. He had tests done at a private lab, and the results, which were positive for Naegleria, confirmed his worst suspicions.
When Shafiq was brought into Services Hospital in critical condition, the hospital’s committed medical staff made every effort to save his life. Sadly, despite their best efforts, Shafiq passed away from the infection while receiving care. It is important to note that patients with Naegleria have a staggering 97 percent mortality rate.
The free-living amoeba Naegleria is known to cause primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a serious condition that affects the central nervous system. The amoeba enters the human body through the nose and thrives in clean water, having disastrous effects.
The United States is currently the most affected nation, with Pakistan coming in second. But the Health Department hasn’t organized any awareness campaigns or done a good job of keeping an eye on swimming pools and other potential amoeba breeding grounds.
The urgent need for chlorination of all water sources, including tube wells, and the significance of raising public awareness are stressed by medical professionals. The public is advised to avoid swimming in unchlorinated pools and to use chlorinated water for all domestic needs.
In order to reduce the risk of infection, the Lahore District Health Authority has dispatched teams to investigate and inspect swimming pools and drinking water sources throughout the city. In order to protect people from this fatal infection, immediate and comprehensive action is required as the situation has reached a critical point.
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