Thiruvananthapuram: A day after a 14-year-old boy succumbed to amoebic meningoencephalitis, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan convened a meeting aimed at preventing further fatalities. The gathering, attended by State Health Minister Veena George, Chief Secretary Dr Venu V, and senior officials, deliberated on several preventive measures, including refraining from bathing in unclean water bodies.

Amoebic meningoencephalitis, a rare brain infection caused by a free-living amoeba found in contaminated waters, was the focal point of discussions during the meeting chaired by the CM, as stated by his office.

The session recommended stringent chlorination of swimming pools and cautioned children about the risks associated with entering water bodies, where they are particularly vulnerable to this disease.

Participants also proposed the use of swimming nose clips to mitigate the risk of infection by the free-living amoeba.

In addition, the Chief Minister emphasised the importance of maintaining cleanliness in water bodies.

Apart from the recent death of the 14-year-old, two other fatalities—a five-year-old girl from Malappuram and a 13-year-old girl from Kannur—occurred on May 21 and June 25, respectively, due to the same rare brain infection.

Medical experts explained that the infection occurs when free-living, non-parasitic amoebae enter the body through the nasal passages from contaminated water sources.

Health authorities have urged the public to exercise vigilance against amoebic meningoencephalitis.

Previously, cases of the disease were reported in coastal Alappuzha district in the state in 2023 and 2017.

PTI