One more case of amoebic meningoencephalitis, a brain infection which occurs in few number of people resulting from free living amoeba found on unclean water surfaces, has been reported from Kerala.
A 14-year-old boy who lives in Payyoli of this north Kerala district is suffering from the disease, according to sources at a private hospital where he is being treated.
In the state since May this is the fourth instance involving such a rare ailment affecting human brains. All the affected are children with three already having died.
The boy was admitted to the hospital on July 1. The doctor treating him said that his condition is improving.
It happened quickly and he has been given proper treatment including medicine from other parts of the world- said one physician when talking about it on that day July 6th.
Another 14-year-old boy infected by free-living amoeba died at Kozhikode on July 5th.
Earlier than that two others – five year old girl from Malappuram and a 13-year old girl from Kannur—died due to this rare cerebral disorder respectively on May 21st and June 25th.
During a meeting held by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on July 5thsuggested different strategies among them were not bathing in dirty water bodies as prevention for further infections,
The statement added that during that meeting it was proposed also that swimming pools must have correct chlorination of which children should be cautious about while entering into water since they mostly fall victims for these diseases.
The chief minister also said all need to ensure clean waterbodies are there around us
Also, during this discussion, using swimming nose clips in order to prevent infection by the free-living amoeba was recommended
Experts say it occurs when bacteria form free living non parasitic amoebae get into our bodies through our nostrils after interaction with unclean water.
In 2023 and 2017, the disease was previously reported in coastal Alappuzha district in the state.
