Kozhikode: Another case of amoebic meningoencephalitis has been reported in the state. The infection has been confirmed in a 10-year-old boy from Malappuram, who is currently undergoing treatment at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital. The diagnosis was made following tests conducted on Wednesday.

What is amoebic encephalitis?

Amoebic encephalitis is a rare, often fatal, brain infection caused by free-living amoebae such as 'Naegleria fowleri', 'Acanthamoeba', 'Sappinia' and 'Balamuthia mandrillaris'. The organisms typically enter the brain through the nasal passage, crossing the thin membrane separating the nose and brain, or via a perforated eardrum. The disease leads to meningoencephalitis and carries a mortality rate of more than 97 per cent.

The disease is not spread from person to person. Infection usually occurs when amoeba from mud in stagnant or contaminated water enter the body through the nose. Symptoms appear within one to nine days of exposure.

Preventive measures

• Avoid swimming or bathing in stagnant or dirty water.

• Do not use water that has been contaminated by animals or left untreated for years.

• People with nasal surgery, head injuries or pus in the ear should avoid stagnant pools and streams.

• Use chlorinated, well-maintained water in swimming pools and water parks.

• Avoid pouring water into the nose; use a nasal clip if needed.

Symptoms

• Severe headache, fever, nausea, vomiting.

• Stiff neck and sensitivity to light.

• Loss of appetite, lethargy, and abnormal behaviour in children.

• In severe cases, seizures, fainting, and memory loss may occur.

Early treatment improves survival. Diagnosis is confirmed by PCR testing of cerebrospinal fluid. Treatment involves a combination of five drugs shown to be effective against amoebae.