Daijiworld Media Network- Kozhikode
Kozhikode, Sep 2: Kerala is grappling with a sudden and alarming health crisis triggered by Naegleria fowleri, a free-living microorganism commonly known as the “brain-eating amoeba.” In 2025 so far, the state has reported 42 confirmed cases of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), with three tragic deaths in August alone — including a three-month-old infant, a nine-year-old girl, and a 52-year-old woman from Kozhikode.
Authorities have swung into action with an aggressive “Water is Life” campaign, which includes chlorination drives for wells, water tanks, and public bathing areas. Public awareness programmes are also being conducted, with officials urging citizens to adopt strict water safety practices during the monsoon season.
The amoeba thrives in warm, freshwater bodies such as ponds, rivers, wells, and poorly chlorinated pools. Infection occurs when contaminated water enters the nasal cavity, allowing the organism to travel to the brain. PAM, the resulting disease, progresses rapidly and is almost always fatal — with a global mortality rate of 95–98%.
India has recorded sporadic cases since 1971, but Kerala saw its first reported death in Alappuzha in 2016. The situation has worsened since 2023, with a sharp rise in infections: 36 cases and nine deaths were reported in 2024. Encouragingly, a few recent survivors in Kerala have been documented, attributed to early diagnosis and aggressive treatment using drugs such as miltefosine.
Warning Signs Symptoms typically appear 1–12 days after exposure, with fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, and stiff neck being early signs. The illness escalates rapidly, causing confusion, seizures, hallucinations, and coma — often leading to death within days.
Precautionary Measures, Avoid swimming or bathing in untreated wells, stagnant ponds, and unchlorinated pools.
Use only boiled, filtered, or bottled water for nasal cleansing or rituals like jala neti.
Wear nose clips during recreational swimming in natural water bodies.
Support community-level disinfection drives initiated under the “Water is Life” campaign.
Seek urgent medical help if fever, headache, or vomiting develops after freshwater exposure.
Health officials are urging residents to remain vigilant. With Kerala witnessing rare survival cases following timely treatment, experts stress that awareness, early diagnosis, and strict water hygiene can save lives.