Kerala: All 10 Patients Of Rare Amoebic Brain Infection With '97% Mortality Rate' Recovered

Kerala Health Minister Veena George highlighted the nature of this accomplishment, noting that globally, only 25 people have ever recovered from this infection, 14 of whom are from Kerala.

The Kerala Health Department has announced a groundbreaking achievement in the treatment of Amoebic Meningoencephalitis, a rare and often fatal brain infection. On Thursday, the department confirmed that all 10 patients who had been receiving treatment at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College have made a full recovery and have been discharged.

Health Minister Veena George highlighted the nature of this accomplishment, noting that globally, only 25 people have ever recovered from this infection, 14 of whom are from Kerala.

"Globally, this disease has a mortality rate of 97 percent. However, Kerala has successfully reduced the mortality rate to 26 percent," said the minister in a statement. This remarkable success sets Kerala apart on the global stage, given the high mortality rate associated with the disease.

How Did Kerala Achieve This Feat?

Kerala has become the first state in India to undertake comprehensive research activities using a unified health approach in response to confirmed cases of Amoebic Meningoencephalitis across various districts. The state has launched a case-control study in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Institute of Epidemiology to investigate why only certain individuals exposed to the same water sources contracted the infection.

Health Minister George revealed that all affected individuals had been exposed to contaminated water that might have contained the amoeba. 

The rapid and accurate diagnosis of the infection, coupled with prompt treatment using medications like Miltefosine, played a crucial role in the recovery of all 10 patients, according to the Health Minister. The Kerala Health Department acted swiftly following the confirmation of the infection in a deceased individual in Thiruvananthapuram, implementing a series of robust measures to prevent further spread and ensure effective treatment.

Under the leadership of Health Minister Veena George, a State Rapid Response Team (RRT) was immediately convened to coordinate both prevention and treatment efforts. A dedicated medical board was also established to oversee patient care, and a special Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) was put in place to maintain continuous and vigilant care throughout the treatment process.

Minister George praised the combined efforts of the Medical College and the Health Department teams, commending their exceptional coordination and leadership in handling the outbreak. "The Health Department has proactively implemented robust measures to prevent and control Amoebic Meningoencephalitis," she emphasised.