Kerala: 27-Year-Old Dies Of Amoebic Meningoencephalitis, 3 Others Test Positive In Trivandrum

Kerala Health Minister Veena George said that the three others individuals had bathed in a pond in Thiruvananthapuram and contracted amoebic meningoencephalitis, commonly known as amoebic brain fever.

Amoebic meningoencephalitis, caused by the amoeba Naegleria fowleri, is a rare and often fatal disease.

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Kerala has reported another fatal case of amoebic meningoencephalitis in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday. In addition to the patient's death, three more cases have been confirmed in the same locality, Nellimoodu, in Neyyattinkara taluk. Kerala Health Minister Veena George announced that three others individuals who had bathed in a pond in Thiruvananthapuram have also contracted amoebic meningoencephalitis, commonly referred to as amoebic brain fever.

The deceased victim, identified as 27-year-old Akhil, succumbed to fever and encephalitis on July 23 after being admitted to the Government Medical College Hospital (MCH). On Monday, health officials confirmed that his death was due to primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), according to a report on PTI.

Meanwhile, the minister confirmed that these patients are undergoing treatment at the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College hospital and that the infection was linked to the pond where they had bathed.

Amoebic Meningoencephalitis: Health Ministry Issues Advisory

Amoebic meningoencephalitis, caused by the amoeba Naegleria fowleri, is a rare and often fatal disease. This recent case follows the death of a 14-year-old boy in early July, marking the fourth case of the infection reported in Kerala since May, with all previous cases involving children. Medical experts note that the infection occurs when the amoeba enters the body through the nose from contaminated water.

PAM amoeba thrives in warm freshwater environments like lakes, ponds, rivers, and hot springs. It can also breed in poorly maintained swimming pools. As seen with previous cases in Kerala, children are found to be more vulnerable to Naegleria fowleri infections.

In response to these cases, the health department has issued an advisory urging people to be cautious when using water from ponds where animals bathe or where water hyacinths are present. The advisory recommends avoiding bathing or washing one's face in potentially contaminated water to prevent further infections.

Previous outbreaks of amoebic meningoencephalitis in Kerala were reported in the coastal Alappuzha district in 2023 and 2017.