KARACHI: The provincial health authorities on Sunday confirmed the ninth death of the current year in the province caused by Naegleria fowleri, also known as ‘brain-eating amoeba’.

Officials said that a 23-year-old man, Awais Sher Mohammed, a resident of Umerkot district, was the latest victim.

The patient was shifted to Karachi from Umerkot and admitted to a private hospital three days ago in a ‘critical’ condition. He was put on ventilator and died on Saturday, a health department official said.

He said the victim was initially treated at various health facilities in Umerkot for malaria and then for meningitis but his condition deteriorated and the family finally shifted him to Karachi.

He was the third victim of the disease brought to Karachi from outside. Previously, two such victims were brought from Thatta and Hub towns. The six other victims were residents of Karachi.

Published in Dawn, July 6th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play