For First Time In India, Kerala Releases Guidelines For Treatment Of Amoebic Meningoencephalitis

The health department of southern state Kerala releases a special guideline for the treatment of rare disease amoebic meningoencephalitis. Thus, becoming a first state of India to do so.

These guidelines were issued by state’s health minister Veena George. These technical guidelines are focused on containing, diagnosing and curing the disease.

Despite the presence of limited scientific studies and reports accessible on this disease, the government has still decided to develop guideline on the basis of its research and observations.

In order to conduct more research into amoebic meningoencephalitis, a panel will be jointly constituted with Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

This panel will be dedicated on further studies and research in association with the disease.

As for the guidelines, minister veena George has asked both government and private hospitals to follow them strictly.

What Is Amoebic Meningoencephalitis?

Amoebic Meningoencephalitis refers to a rare brain disease infection, which occurs due to free-living amoeba, which usually lives in contaminated water.

As per medical experts, this disease happens, when non-parasitic amoebae comes to the body via nose from contaminated water. After coming to the body, it enters the brain, which results in fatal infection of the brain and its connected tissues, which is called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM).

This disease has taken several lives in Kerala. This case was found in coastal district of Alappuzha in the year 2023 and 2017.