Thiruvananthapuram: A fourth case of amoebic meningoencephalitis, commonly known as brain-eating amoeba infection, has been reported in Kerala. A 14-year-old boy tested positive for the infection on Friday and is currently receiving treatment at a private hospital in Kozhikode. The boy’s condition is reported to be stable.
In the last two months, four cases of this infection have emerged in the northern districts of Kerala. Two of these cases were from Kozhikode, while the other two were from the neighbouring districts of Malappuram and Kannur. Tragically, three of the infected individuals have succumbed to the infection.
In response to the outbreak, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan convened a high-level meeting and issued an advisory urging people to avoid bathing in contaminated water bodies. Swimming pool authorities have been directed to ensure proper chlorination to prevent further infections.
Amoebic meningoencephalitis is a severe brain infection caused by a type of amoeba known as Naegleria fowleri. The infection typically occurs when contaminated water enters the body through the nose, often while swimming or diving in freshwater bodies. Due to this risk, people are advised to use nose clips while using pools and other water bodies.
Previous instances of this near-fatal brain infection in Kerala include cases reported in Alappuzha in 2016 and 2023, in Malappuram in 2019 and 2020, in Kozhikode in 2020, and in Thrissur in 2022.