Factual error in Kerala Health Minister’s claim on time frame of study of amoebic meningoencephalitis brought to light

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Health Minister Veena George’s claim regarding a study on 'Acanthamoeba' infection, which can cause amoebic encephalitis, has been challenged. The minister said the report was published in 2013, but records show it appeared in the 'Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology' in 2018, during the first Pinarayi Vijayan government, when KK Shailaja was health minister.

Veena recently shared a page of the study on social media amid rising concern over amoebic encephalitis, omitting the publication date. She said that the study, conducted from January to December 2013, had been published in the same year, and alleged that the then Oommen Chandy government and senior Health Department officials ignored its findings.

The study, carried out by Dr Anna Cherian and Dr R Jyothi of Thiruvananthapuram Medical College, examined 350 patients with corneal ulcers. Published in January-March 2018, the report found 'Acanthamoeba' to be the cause in 64% of cases, with infections suspected to have originated from well water.

The findings recorded infections in 255 patients in Thiruvananthapuram, 69 in Kollam, six in Pathanamthitta, five in Alappuzha and four in Kottayam.

Health experts note that early diagnosis of amoebic encephalitis can reduce complications, and timely treatment improves chances of recovery.

In a Facebook post, Veena George reiterated that the research itself was conducted in 2013 by doctors at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College. She said the government was informed at the time, but no action was taken, and no files were generated. The minister added that journal publications are not routinely brought to the government’s notice.