Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], September 24 (HBTV): Kerala is grappling with a surge in amoebic meningoencephalitis cases, a rare and often fatal brain infection caused by the brain-eating amoeba Naegleria fowleri.
Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Tuesday said that a total of 80 cases and 21 deaths due to amoebic meningoencephalitis had been recorded in the state. She attributed the increased reporting to Kerala’s proactive approach since 2023, which mandated investigating every encephalitis case to determine its cause.
George said, ‘Eighty cases have been reported in the state and 21 deaths. The reason why amoebic meningoencephalitis cases are getting reported in Kerala is quite clear that after 2023, we have insisted on reporting every single encephalitis case and also finding the cause of it. When we do early detection, we are able to save lives. We have developed our own testing facilities here and in all the microbiology labs. Definitely, amoebas are detected, and we conduct the PCR test. We issued guidelines back in 2024. We are continuing our effort in identifying the disease, in finding the cause, and giving early treatment and saving lives.’
The infection is primarily caused by Naegleria fowleri, though other species such as Balamuthia mandrillaris and Acanthamoeba have also been detected in Kerala. It occurs when contaminated water enters the nasal passages, usually during swimming or bathing in freshwater sources.
Earlier, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor expressed concern over the rising cases and advised against swimming in freshwater. He said, ‘It is a very sad story. A lot of people have caught this fatal infection by swimming in the freshwater. Some doctors are advising people not to swim in freshwater until a safer solution can be found. I can just endorse that request to everybody: Don’t take risks, don’t go in freshwater.’
Tharoor added, ‘I think seawater is fine. Your water at home is fine, and chlorinated swimming pool water is fine, but unfortunately not untreated natural water.’
Public awareness campaigns and mass chlorination drives are underway to combat the amoeba in water sources. Kerala is collaborating with institutions such as the National Institute of Epidemiology and the Indian Institute of Science for further studies.
Early symptoms resemble bacterial meningitis, and prompt medical attention is considered crucial for survival.
(ANI)