Two more cases of rare brain infection confirmed in Thiruvananthapuram

Attingal, Kerala: Two more cases of amoebic meningoencephalitis, a rare and often fatal brain infection, have been confirmed in Thiruvananthapuram district, health officials said on Tuesday.

The latest cases involve a 57-year-old man from Kodumon, near Attingal, and a 34-year-old woman from Marakkadamukku, Edava. Both patients are currently undergoing treatment at the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital.

This brings the total number of confirmed cases in the district this year to 15.

The male patient, a construction worker, was initially admitted to Valiyakunnu Taluk Hospital after sustaining a leg injury from a fall. Due to his worsening condition, complicated by severe diabetes, he was referred to the Medical College Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram. Although he showed no symptoms of brain infection at first, further tests later confirmed amoebic meningoencephalitis.

Attingal municipal health authorities, alerted by the hospital on Tuesday, visited the patient’s residence and surrounding area, but the source of infection remains unknown.

Meanwhile, the young woman from Marakkadamukku had been admitted to the same hospital four days earlier, and her diagnosis was confirmed through a test report received on Monday. According to the Edava health department, she had not bathed in any pond or natural water source recently. Her family stated that the household relies entirely on pipe water, as there is no well on the premises, so the source of infection remains unknown.