BRAIN EATING AMOEBA

Pakistan has been recently hit with the Brain-eating amoeba disease which is a parasite found in fresh water scientifically known as Naegleria fowleri. The brain eating infection has caused 10 deaths in Karachi recently. This waterborne species of amoeba causes primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a severe infection affecting the central nervous system.
Since the disease finds its way through the nostrils, there is a high chance of getting the disease from the Wuzu which also involves washing the nostrils along with other practice before offering Salah. As a result of the outbreak, local officials will increase the amount of chlorine in the city’s water supply to prevent further infections. The officials also advised worshipers to use sterilized water instead. Now you wonder why the tap coming at our house via water tanks has been co chorionic these days.
To prevent the disease it is better to avoid swimming in freshwater lakes, rivers, hot springs, thermally-polluted water near power plants, and poorly chlorinated swimming pools. Otherwise, holding the nose shut or using clips worn during water activities may help prevent this infection. The disease symptoms include headache, fever, nausea, vomiting and stiff neck usually within two weeks after being infected. Furthermore the infection grows it gets from bad to worse. The infected person becomes unaware of its surroundings, confused and loses the focus from time to time. Hallucinations and seizures are also experienced and if the infection is progressing rapidly death can occur within a span of 3 -7 days.
Glad to see Pakistan Government has not taken this issue lightly at all. The WHO and Pakistani officials are working together to investigate the cases and working out steps to prevent further infections to the people of Pakistan.