**VIDEO: Illegal Water Tankers Identified as Major Cause of Naegleria Outbreak in Karachi**
[Image of Naegleria-infected water tanker]
[Embedded video of news report about Naegleria in Karachi]
A concerning report has revealed that the primary cause of Naegleria cases in Karachi is the supply of underground water via illegal water tankers. Tests on water samples from 50 union councils across the city found that a staggering 95% were contaminated with the deadly Naegleria parasite.
Experts point to the unauthorized extraction and sale of underground water, supplied through unregistered water tankers, as the main culprit behind the alarming spread of Naegleria.
Over half of Karachi’s population depends on tanker-supplied water for their daily needs. However, while the Karachi Water Board has only 400 registered tankers, more than 7,000 operate daily, delivering water throughout the city without adequate regulation.
**What is Naegleria?**
Naegleria infection is caused by a “brain-eating amoeba” typically found in warm freshwater sources like lakes, rivers, and hot springs. Infection can also occur in swimming pools and during other freshwater sports.
The amoeba usually enters the body through the nose and travels to the brain, causing severe damage. Symptoms appear within 24 hours of contact, and the amoeba can be fatal within 7 days.
**Symptoms:**
Symptoms of Naegleria include high fever, headache, vomiting, and neck stiffness. In the final stages, the infection can lead to coma.
**Precautionary Measures:**
Chlorination is the primary method for killing the germ and preventing this deadly disease.
Using boiled water for nasal cleaning is another crucial precaution, as the germ enters through the nasal cavity and attacks the brain.