Tragic Fatality: Kerala teenager succumbs to rare brain infection from waterborne amoebae
Thiruvananthapuram/Alappuzha, July 07: A tragic incident in Kerala's Alappuzha district has claimed the life of a teenager who fell victim to a rare brain infection caused by free-living amoebae residing in contaminated waters. State Health Minister Veena George confirmed the teenager's death, highlighting that five cases of this uncommon infection, known as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, have been reported in the state in the past.
The 15-year-old from Panavalli, located near Alappuzha, contracted the primary amoebic meningoencephalitis disease. Minister George informed reporters in Thiruvananthapuram that the first case was reported in Alappuzha's Thirumala ward in 2016. Additionally, two cases were confirmed in Malappuram in 2019 and 2020, and one case each was reported in Kozhikode and Thrissur in 2020 and 2022, respectively.
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Fever, headache, vomiting, and seizures are the primary symptoms associated with this rare brain infection. Unfortunately, all infected patients have succumbed to the disease, emphasizing the 100% mortality rate of this condition.
Health experts explain that the human brain becomes infected when the free-living, non-parasitic amoeba bacteria enters the body through the nasal passage. To mitigate the risks, district health officials have advised the public to refrain from bathing in contaminated water, considering the severe nature of the disease.
The tragic death of a Kerala teenager due to a rare brain infection caused by waterborne amoebae serves as a somber reminder of the potential dangers lurking in contaminated waters. As the state grapples with this unfortunate incident, raising awareness about prevention measures becomes crucial in safeguarding public health.
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- With inputs from agencies
