Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala is on alert as a rare brain-eating amoebic disease is speading in the state.
A new case of amoebic meningoencephalitis, a potentially fatal brain infection, was reported from Thiruvananthapuram, with a 17-year-old boy having contracted the infection.
After it was found out that the teenager had visited the swimming pool at Akkulam Tourist Village with friends the previous day and taken a bath there, the Health department ordered closure of the pool and collected water samples for testing.
Last week, Kerala reported fifth death in a month from the disease. Shobhana, a 56-year-old woman from Vandoor in Malappuram district, passed away while undergoing treatment at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital.
Ratheesh, 45, was another victim of the disease at the same hospital.
According to data released under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme on September 14, Kerala has recorded 67 cases of amoebic meningoencephalitis this year, with 18 deaths.
Cause & symptoms
Amoebic meningoencephalitis is an often fatal infection of the brain caused by free-living protozoan Naegleria fowleri, which is usually found in fresh water such as ponds, lakes, rivers and hot springs.
Symptoms of amoebic meningoencephalitis include headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, confusion, hallucinations and seizures.
History has shown that the symptoms progress rapidly over five-six days with characteristics of meningitis and encephalitis.
The problem is, since amoebic meningoencephalitis is a rare disease, doctors rarely consider it during diagnosis stage.
Preventive measures
Kerala Health Minister Veena George emphasised the urgent need for strict preventive measures to combat amoebic meningoencephalitis.
She urged people to be vigilant about water safety and sanitation.
“We have to create a strong defence against amoebic meningoencephalitis. We must ensure that we do not wash our face or take a bath in stagnant or polluted water, including water bodies where cattle are bathed,” George said.
The minister further advised that wells and swimming pools at water theme parks must be properly chlorinated.
“Water storage facilities at homes should be kept clean. The amoeba enters your brain through your nose, so ensure that water does not enter your nose,” she added.