Brain-Eating Amoeba in Kerala: What You Must Know Now

Brain-Eating Amoeba in Kerala: What You Must Know Now
Figures from the Kerala Health Department show that the state is battling an outbreak of a rare brain-eating disorder, with 67 positive cases and 18 deaths reported so far this year, including seven in September alone.

This fatal infection, called amoebic meningoencephalitis, is caused by the amoeba Naegleria fowleri. This single-celled organism lives in warm freshwater bodies like lakes, rivers, and hot springs. The amoeba infects the brain when contaminated water enters the body through the nose, typically while swimming or diving. The infection, also known as Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), is highly lethal, with a mortality rate exceeding 97%.

Early symptoms include headache, fever, nausea, and vomiting, which rapidly worsen to include a stiff neck, confusion, and hallucinations. Death usually occurs within one to 18 days of symptom onset. To reduce the risk of infection, health officials recommend avoiding unchlorinated or stagnant water and using nose clips when swimming in freshwater.