Rise in amoebic meningoencephalitis alarms Kerala; 2 lives lost in 2 months

Kozhikode: Amoebic meningoencephalitis, a rare disease once, has now been causing worry in Kerala. Within a span of two months, three children have been diagnosed with the illness, out of which two have lost their lives. The disease, which had affected only six people over seven years, has now become a serious issue in the State. 

A 12-year-old boy from Feroke, Kozhikode, is currently fighting for his life on ventilator in a private hospital. Earlier, a 5-year-old girl from Malappuram, passed away on May 21, followed by a 13-year-old girl in Kannur on June 16. 

The infections are believed to have occurred after the 5-year-old took a bath in Kadalundi river in Malappuram and the other two children in separate rivers. Dr E Danish from Kozhikode Medical College explained that the amoeba enters the body through the nose, emphasising that there is no risk of transmission through drinking water. He also mentioned that not everyone who had come in contact with the same water bodies where these cases occurred would necessarily be affected.

He also said that it is not possible to say whether the increase of such diseases is caused by the water bodies getting significantly polluted, or other factors, including weather. Dr Sumangala, Medical Officer at Ramanattukara Family Health Center, assured that no further cases have been reported from the identified sources.

The survival rate for amoebic meningoencephalitis is reported to be only three percent.