A fourth case of a rare brain-eating amoeba infection has been reported in North Kerala.
Another case of amoebic meningoencephalitis, a rare brain infection caused by a free-living amoeba found in contaminated waters, has been reported in Kerala.
A 14-year-old boy from Payyoli, in North Kerala, has been diagnosed with the disease. He is currently receiving treatment at a private hospital.
This is the fourth case of the rare brain infection reported in the state since May, and tragically, all the patients are children, with three of them having already passed away.
The latest patient was admitted to the hospital on July 1, and the treating doctor mentioned that his condition is improving. The infection was quickly identified, and treatment, including medicines from abroad, was promptly initiated.
Unfortunately, a 14-year-old boy from the region has succumbed to the infection recently. Prior to this, a five-year-old girl from Malappuram and a 13-year-old girl from Kannur also passed away in May and June respectively due to the same infection.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan conducted a meeting to address the issue, where various suggestions were made to prevent further infections. Recommendations included avoiding bathing in unclean water bodies, ensuring proper chlorination of swimming pools, and advising children to be cautious when entering water bodies as they are most vulnerable to this disease.
Furthermore, the importance of maintaining clean water bodies was emphasized by the chief minister.
To prevent infection by the free-living amoeba, using swimming nose clips was also suggested during the meeting.
Medical experts have explained that the infection occurs when free-living, non-parasitic amoebae bacteria enter the body through the nose from contaminated water.
It is worth noting that the disease was previously reported in the coastal Alappuzha district in the state in 2023 and 2017.
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