Kerala reports third Amoebic Meningoencephalitis death in 11 days

Kollam, Kerala: A 48-year-old woman from Pattazhi succumbed to amoebic meningoencephalitis on Saturday, marking the third such death in the state within 11 days.

The woman was undergoing treatment at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital since September 23, officials said.

So far, 100 people have been confirmed with the disease. The increased death rates are raising serious public health concerns.

Health authorities said Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram districts in the south are the most affected, while cases are also increasing in Kozhikode and Malappuram in the north.

What is Amoebic Encephalitis?

Amoebic encephalitis, also known as amoebic meningoencephalitis, is an extremely rare but serious brain infection that affects roughly one in 10,000 people. The disease is caused by Naegleria fowleri, an amoeba that invades the brain but is not transmitted from person to person.

The amoeba typically lives in stagnant or warm freshwater sources such as ponds, lakes, and poorly maintained pools. It enters the human body through the nasal passages, often while bathing or swimming, and travels to the brain, causing severe inflammation known as encephalitis.

Symptoms

Symptoms usually appear within one to nine days after exposure. Early signs include severe headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, and stiffness in the neck. As the infection progresses, more serious symptoms such as seizures, fainting, and memory loss may develop. Diagnosis is made by analysing a sample of cerebrospinal fluid.

Prevention

The infection occurs mainly when contaminated or stagnant water enters the nose. To reduce the risk, avoid bathing or swimming in stagnant or unclean water and refrain from rinsing the nose with untreated water.

Anyone experiencing related symptoms should seek immediate medical attention. Health experts note that children and adults can safely use properly chlorinated swimming pools.