Brain-eating bug kills ten in Pakistan

Published on 10/10/2012 00:00

A SINGLE-CELLED microbe ­described as a “brain-eating bug” – has killed at least ten people in Pakistan’s biggest city since May, the World Health Organisation has said.

Naegleria fowleri is almost always fatal and is transmitted when contaminated water enters the body through the nose. It cannot be passed person to person. The ten confirmed deaths have all occurred in the southern port city of Karachi, said Dr Musa Khan, head of the WHO’s disease early warning system in Pakistan.

The amoeba travels from the nasal membranes to the brain. Symptoms include a headache, stiff neck, fever and stomach pain. Death occurs five to seven days after infection.

“People should avoid getting water too deep into their nostrils and make sure their water supply is properly treated,” warned Mr Khan.