What is Brain Eating Amoeba: Kerala Reports 6 Cases in One Month

Kerala has seen an increase in deaths due to amoebic meningoencephalitis a rare and fatal brain disease. Six people have lost their lives to this condition in the last month indicating the need for a thrust on public awareness as well as prevention. 

What is a Brain eating amoeba?

Brain eating amoeba also known as the Naegleria fowleri which in warm freshwater environments like lakes, rivers and poorly disinfected pools. Tiny creature can infect humans when dirty water is inhaled through the nose usually in swimming or bathing.

Once in the body travels to the brain causing a sudden and devastating inflammation called Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM). PAM is a rare occurrence it is nearly always fatal posing a great public health problem.

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What are Symptoms of Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis?

PAM symptoms are likely to appear within a short while after exposure typically between three and seven days. Early symptoms are fever, headache, nausea and vomiting. Neck stiffness, confusion hallucinations and seizures follow as the infection progresses. The disease takes a rapid course with the majority of patients developing symptoms before dying within one or two weeks.

What are Prevention Measures Against PAM?

In order to counter the menace caused by Naegleria fowleri healthcare professionals stress some preventive measures:

• Avoid Swimming in Warm, Freshwater particularly following heavy rainfalls as this has a tendency to raise levels of contamination.
• Sterilized or Filtered Water use for nasal rinsing or irrigation to prevent introducing the amoeba.
• Public Awareness Campaigns like Community education on risk and safe water usage is key to curbing infection.

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Recent Case Study from Kerala

The Kerala state is now facing an epidemic of PAM related deaths with six reported deaths in a single month. The latest casualty with Shaji a resident of Malappuram was being treated in Kozhikode Medical College Hospital when he died due to the disease. Nine other patients are currently hospitalized with confirmed cases of infection.

The source of infection is still not known making the control of the disease difficult. Two children recently recuperated and were sent home providing a shred of hope in the midst of the dismal scenario.

Kerala's case needs an immediate caution and mass education on this rare destructive infection. Medical intervention and preventive measures can prove to be lifesavers in the battle against Naegleria fowleri.

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