PAYYOLI-KOZIHKODU: Kerala has seen another case of amoebic meningoencephalitis, a rare and potentially deadly brain infection caused by Naegleria fowleri, with a 14-year-old boy from Payyoli currently under treatment at a local hospital. This marks the fourth such case in the state since May, following tragic deaths of three children from the same infection.
Recent Case and Treatment Admitted to the hospital on July 1, the boy's condition is showing signs of improvement, according to attending physicians. Prompt identification of the infection allowed for immediate treatment, including medications sourced internationally.
Previous Cases Earlier this week, another 14-year-old succumbed to the infection. Tragically, a five-year-old girl from Malappuram passed away on May 21, followed by a 13-year-old girl from Kannur on June 25. These cases underscore the swift and severe nature of amoebic meningoencephalitis.
Government Response Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan convened a meeting to address preventive measures following these incidents. Recommendations included avoiding bathing in untreated water bodies and ensuring adequate chlorination of swimming pools. The Chief Minister stressed the importance of maintaining clean water sources and suggested using nose clips while swimming as a precautionary measure.
Medical Insights Health experts explain that Naegleria fowleri enters the body through the nose, usually via contaminated water. Once inside, it travels through the olfactory nerve to the brain, causing rapid inflammation and symptoms like severe headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, and confusion. Despite aggressive treatments involving antifungal and antimicrobial drugs, the mortality rate remains high.
Background and Environmental Factors Naegleria fowleri thrives in warm freshwater environments such as lakes and rivers, particularly during Kerala's hot and humid summers. Stagnant or slow-moving water, along with poorly chlorinated swimming pools and untreated hot tubs, provide ideal breeding grounds. Cases have also been linked to contaminated tap water and soil, highlighting the amoeba's adaptability.
Preventive Measures and Awareness Health officials emphasize the importance of preventive measures, including thorough chlorination of swimming pools and avoiding untreated water bodies. Public awareness campaigns stress the need for vigilance, especially during Kerala's monsoon season when water levels rise. Keeping water bodies clean and using nose clips while swimming are recommended to reduce the risk of infection.
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