Wayanad: A 45-year-old man from Bathery, Wayanad, has died after being diagnosed with amoebic meningoencephalitis, a rare and often fatal brain infection caused by free-living amoebae.

The deceased has been identified as Ratheesh, who had been undergoing treatment at the Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital. Hospital authorities confirmed that he passed away during the course of treatment.

Ratheesh is the fourth person in Kerala to succumb to the disease in recent weeks. Earlier victims include a three-month-old infant from Omassery in Kozhikode district, Ramla (52) from Cheroor Kannamangalam in Malappuram, and Anaya (9), a young girl from Thamarassery, Kozhikode.

Amoebic meningoencephalitis, while rare, is a rapidly progressing infection typically caused by Naegleria fowleri, an amoeba found in warm freshwater sources. Health officials have advised the public to exercise caution when swimming or bathing in untreated water bodies.

The state health department is reportedly closely monitoring the situation as concerns rise among the public.