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Brain-eating amoeba claims ninth life in Karachi this year

09:12 PM | 23 Oct, 2023
Naegleria fowleri infection
Source: File photo

ISLAMABAD – A resident of Karachi died on Saturday from the Naegleria fowleri infection, making it the ninth casualty of the disease this year, a health official confirmed on Monday. 

Popularly known as “brain-eating amoeba”, Naegleria fowleri is found in freshwater habitats — lakes, ponds, rivers, hot springs — and poorly managed swimming pools and pipes connected to tap water. 

The microorganism can enter the human body through the nose and cause a sudden infection of the brain called naegleriasis. In most cases, the infection is fatal.

Adnan Tariq, a 45-year-old shopkeeper who was a resident of the city’s North Karachi Sector 11-A area, suffered from fever on Wednesday night, a preliminary report by the Directorate-General Health Services Sindh said. His fever subsided slightly on Thursday morning but after suffering from muscle weakness and an “altered state of consciousness,” the patient visited a private hospital later that evening.

The hospital recommended he seek treatment at Agha Khan Hospital. Tariq was admitted to the intensive care unit in Agha Khan Hospital on Thursday and stayed there till Friday. On Saturday, he passed away after his health deteriorated. 

“After the latest death from Naegleria the other day, the total deaths from the infection this year have reached nine,” said Shabbir Ali Babar, spokesperson for the Sindh Health Department.

The report found no history of Tariq swimming recently or visiting any farm house where he could have contracted the disease from unclean water. It stated that the deceased used water supplied to his home from a main pump and also occasionally used water bought from tankers.

However, the patient offered prayers at different mosques around the city, the report added.

“On the basis of findings and observations it is concluded that, most likely the patient got infested with water while performing ablution at workplace,” it said.

The report urged authorities to assess the chlorination process and chlorine level in all major reservoirs that supply water to the city.

It called on authorities to check pipelines for leakages and rectify them at the earliest to avoid contamination with sewage water and to sensitize people to treat their water tanks with bleaching powder regularly.

On May 29, a 19-year-old laborer in Karachi passed away from Naegleria fowleri after complaining of fever, vomiting and headache.

The brain-eating amoeba is a relatively new problem in Pakistan, where the first case was recorded in Karachi in 2008. The infection has since killed over 100 people in the city, including at least 47 in the past six years, according to data from the Sindh health department’s Naegleria monitoring and inspection team.

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Pakistani rupee exchange rate to US dollar, Euro, Pound, Dirham, and Riyal - 4 Dec  2023

Pakistani rupee's value remained stable against US dollar, Euro, Pound, Dirham, Riyal and other currencies in the open market.

Dollar Rate in Pakistan Today

On Monday, the US dollar was being quoted at 285.15 for buying and 287.95 for selling.

Euro rate stands at 309.9 for buying and 310.5 for selling. British Pound GBP rate stands at 359.4 for buying, and 360.05 for selling.

UAE Dirham AED currently hovers around 77.45 while rate of Saudi Riyal stands at 75.82.

Today’s currency exchange rates in Pakistan – 4 December 2023

Currency Symbol Buying Selling
US Dollar USD 285.15  287.95 
Euro EUR 309.9  310.5 
UK Pound Sterling GBP 359.4  360.05 
U.A.E Dirham AED 77.45 77.6
Saudi Riyal SAR 75.82 75.97
Australian Dollar AUD 187.72 188.22
Bahrain Dinar BHD 759.94 767.94
Canadian Dollar CAD 209.99 210.49
China Yuan CNY 39.78 39.88
Danish Krone DKK 41.95 42.05
Hong Kong Dollar HKD 36.38 36.48
Indian Rupee INR 3.39 3.5
Japanese Yen JPY 1.49 1.56
Kuwaiti Dinar KWD 926.39 935.39
Malaysian Ringgit MYR 60.38 60.98
New Zealand Dollar NZD 173.44 175.44
Norwegians Krone NOK 26.25 26.55
Omani Riyal OMR 742.16 750.18
Qatari Riyal QAR 78.5 79.2
Singapore Dollar SGD 212.45 212.95
Swedish Korona SEK 27.09 27.19
Swiss Franc CHF 325.38 325.88
Thai Bhat THB 8.05 8.09

Gold prices in Pakistan move down despite positive global cues

The gold remained under pressure as the precious metal moved down despite an upward trend in the international market.

Gold Rates in Pakistan Today - 4 December 2023

On the first day of the week, the price of a single tola of 24-karat gold stands at Rs217,000 and 10 grams of 24k gold costs Rs186,043 

A single tola of 22-karat gold costs Rs170,539, while 21 karat rate for each tola is Rs. 192,325 and the price of 18k gold is Rs164,850.

In the global market, gold prices hover at around $2086, gaining $14.44 on Monday.

Today Gold Rate in Pakistan

City Gold Silver
Lahore PKR 217,000 PKR 2,720
Karachi PKR 217,000 PKR 2,720
Islamabad PKR 217,000 PKR 2,720
Peshawar PKR 217,000 PKR 2,720
Quetta PKR 217,000 PKR 2,720
Sialkot PKR 217,000 PKR 2,720
Attock PKR 217,000 PKR 2,720
Gujranwala PKR 217,000 PKR 2,720
Jehlum PKR 217,000 PKR 2,720
Multan PKR 217,000 PKR 2,720
Bahawalpur PKR 217,000 PKR 2,720
Gujrat PKR 217,000 PKR 2,720
Nawabshah PKR 217,000 PKR 2,720
Chakwal PKR 217,000 PKR 2,720
Hyderabad PKR 217,000 PKR 2,720
Nowshehra PKR 217,000 PKR 2,720
Sargodha PKR 217,000 PKR 2,720
Faisalabad PKR 217,000 PKR 2,720
Mirpur PKR 217,000 PKR 2,720

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