Kerala: Kerala is grappling with a rare and often fatal brain infection, amoebic encephalitis, with a total of 104 cases reported so far, of which 23 patients have died, state Health Minister Veena George said on Sunday. The infection is caused by the “brain-eating amoeba” Naegleria fowleri, which has a high global fatality rate.
Districts most affected
Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram districts have been the worst hit, while cases are also rising in Kozhikode and Malappuram. The state government has implemented stringent measures to track, diagnose, and treat the infection early to prevent fatalities.
Minister George highlighted that following the Nipah virus outbreak in Kozhikode in 2023, the government mandated the reporting of all encephalitis cases and directed that the underlying causes be identified. “From 2024 onwards, encephalitis cases began to be officially reported, and some were found to be amoebic encephalitis,” she said in a Facebook post.
Measures taken by Kerala Health Department
The Health Department issued general and technical guidelines in 2024 for the diagnosis and treatment of amoebic encephalitis. George emphasised that globally, the fatality rate for Naegleria fowleri infection is 98 per cent, while Acanthamoeba-related cases exceed 70 per cent. Despite these figures, Kerala has successfully reduced mortality through early detection and timely treatment.
In 2025, Kerala implemented an action plan based on the One Health approach to prevent further cases of amoebic encephalitis. “Following decisions taken at a joint meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, various departments are working together to ensure scientific chlorination and other preventive measures are carried out continuously across the state,” the minister added.
Early detection key to saving lives
Health experts emphasise that awareness and early medical intervention are crucial in tackling amoebic encephalitis. Symptoms such as severe headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, and neurological issues should prompt immediate hospital visits. Citizens are also advised to follow proper water safety and hygiene practices, including ensuring safe chlorination in water bodies and avoiding direct exposure to untreated water.
The state government continues to monitor water sources and enforces preventive measures to minimise the risk of infection, while hospitals have been instructed to be alert to early warning signs and provide prompt treatment to suspected cases.