Tue, 21-Oct-2025

HMPV cases being circulated in Pakistan for two decades: NIH

HMPV

ISLAMABAD: National Institute of Health (NIH) on Saturday confirmed that human metapneumovirus (HMPV) that spread in China has already been present in Pakistan for 2 decades.

A notable increase in infections attributed to human metapneumovirus (HMPV) has been observed in China, prompting the authorities to enhance their screening, detection, and isolation measures in response to unidentified pathogens.

The virus is spreading among children age 14 and younger, but it’s unclear how much risk it might pose to those who get sick.

According to  the National Institute of Health, the HMP virus that spread in China has been present in Pakistan for 2 decades. The statement said that HMPV was first diagnosed in Pakistan in 2001.

A total 21 cases of this virus were reported in Islamabad in 2015. NIH officials said that the World Health Organization has not currently issued an advisory regarding HMPV.

He said that the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) meeting on the situation of HMPV in China will be held on January 7.

He said that the cases of seasonal influenza, especially influenza A and B, are emerging in Pakistan.

On the other hand, medical experts also said that cases of HMPV are coming up often.

It should be noted that according to international media reports, this virus was first reported in 2000 and there has been no major change in the severity of the disease.

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Naegleria claims life of youngster in Karachi

Naegleria

KARACHI: 19 year old male, resident of District East Karachi passed away from Naegleria Fowleri, Brain-eating amoeba at a private hospital in Karachi on Monday.

The patient started experiencing symptoms on August 18 2024 and was admitted in the hospital on August 21 2024. The presence of Naegleria Fowleri was confirmed in the patient on August 25 2024.

Upon investigation it was noted that the patient had not participated in any water related activities. His only exposure was regular use of water to perform ablution (wuzu) five times a day at home and occasionally to a nearby mosque.

In 2024, Naegleria Fowleri claimed five lives in Sindh province this year so far out of which four reported in Karachi and one in Hyderabad.

The experts said Naegleria is a Brain-eating amoeba that grows in clean water and is capable of eating the human brain by infecting the brain membrane through the nose, causing death. Naegleria does not reach the brain through the mouth, nor does the bacterium survive in salt water.

According to medical experts, 50% chlorine in water is necessary to prevent Naegleria.

Medical experts also say that household tanks should be cleaned at least twice a year, chlorine tablets should be used, and water should be boiled at 100 degrees Celsius for drinking and ablution to kill Naegleria.

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Naegleria claims another life in Karachi

Naegleria
  • 38-year-old victim was resident of Gulshan-e-Maymar.
  • 12 people have died from Naegleria in Sindh so far.
  • Medical experts said household tanks should be cleaned.

KARACHI: Another person died in Karachi from brain-eating amoeba Naegleria fowleri in a private hospital in Karachi.

According to the spokesperson of the Sindh Health Department, the 38-year-old victim was a resident of Gulshan-e-Maymar who died last night.

A spokesperson said that the victim had a fever, headache, and vomiting since November 7 and he stayed at home till November 8 and took medicine.

The spokesperson said that the patient was brought to the emergency department of a private hospital on November 9 due to deterioration of his condition.

According to the spokesman, 12 people have died in Sindh so far from Naegleria, out of which 11 people belonged to Karachi.

The spokesperson said that to prevent Naegleria, be careful in putting water in the nose and use chlorine in water according to the guidelines of medical experts and WHO.

Naegleria is a freshwater bacterium that infects the brain membrane through the nose and eats away at the human brain, causing death.

Naegleria does not reach the brain through the mouth, nor can this bacterium survive in salt water, according to medical experts, 50% chlorine in water is necessary to prevent Naegleria.

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