Kerala: 15-Year-Old Boy Dies Due To Rare Brain Infection Caused By Free-Living Amoeba

The boy was suffering from a fever for more than a week. The main symptoms of the disease are fever, headache, vomiting, and seizures.

The minister, confirming the boy’s death, said five such cases of the rare infection had been reported in the state since 2016.

Source : File photo

A teenager who was affected by a rare brain infection died in Alappuzha district. Health Minister Veena George on Friday said the rare infection was caused by free-living amoebae living in contaminated waters. 

According to PTI, a 15-year-old boy was a resident of Panavalli in Alappuzha. 

The boy was suffering from a fever for more than a week. The boy got a fever and he started getting treatment at a local clinic. However, his condition started to worsen. On Sunday, the boy was taken to a medical college hospital. 

Later, the doctors diagnosed that he was suffering from Naegleria fowleri or brain-earing amoeba. It was said that the boy used to take baths frequently in a nearby stream. It is believed that he got the infection from the water body. 

The minister, confirming the boy’s death, said five such cases of the rare infection had been reported in the state. The first was in 2016, and others later in the years of 2019, 20 and 22.

"The main symptoms of the disease are fever, headache, vomiting, and seizures. All the infected patients had died,” George said.

According to doctors, the human brain gets infected after the amoeba enters the body through the nose. 

Considering the severe nature of the disease, the district health officials have advised people to avoid taking bath in contaminated water. The main symptoms of the disease are fever, headache, vomiting, and seizures.

Only 3.7 cases of amebic meningoencephalitis are documented globally per year, making it extremely uncommon. It frequently occurs in warmer climates. The parasite can be found in soil and freshwater environments such ponds, lakes, rivers, streams, hot springs, and swimming pools without chlorine.