Thiruvananthapuram | Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Friday warned that cases of amoebic brain infection are likely to increase during the summer and urged the public to remain vigilant.
The disease, known as amoebic meningoencephalitis, is caused by microorganisms such as Naegleria fowleri and Acanthamoeba, which are found in contaminated water bodies.
In a statement, George advised people to avoid bathing or washing their faces with unclean water and stressed the need to maintain hygiene in water sources.
Wells and water tanks should be regularly cleaned and chlorinated, and swimming pools should be properly maintained, she said.
"Health authorities have intensified surveillance, and directions have been issued to ensure that patients showing symptoms of encephalitis are also tested for amoebic infection. The infection can enter the body through the nose and affect the brain. In individuals with low immunity, it can also spread through wounds and impact the nervous system," the statement said.
Symptoms include high fever, sudden-onset headache, vomiting, neck pain, loss of consciousness, and sensitivity to light.
The disease can progress rapidly and requires immediate medical attention, the statement said.
The minister urged people experiencing such symptoms to seek treatment without delay and to avoid self-medication.
She said Kerala has taken strong measures to prevent and treat the disease, including early diagnosis protocols and specialised care.
"Globally, the mortality rate associated with Naegleria fowleri infection is around 99 per cent, while that of Acanthamoeba-related infections ranges between 70 and 90 per cent. Through effective interventions, Kerala has reduced the mortality rate to around 24 per cent," she said.
Facilities to detect amoeba are available in the microbiology departments of all medical colleges in the state, and advanced testing for species identification and confirmation is being carried out at specialised centres, including the Public Health Lab in Thiruvananthapuram, IAV at Thonnakkal, and Kozhikode Medical College, she said.
The minister also listed preventive measures, including avoiding stagnant or untreated water, using nose clips while swimming, preventing water from entering the nose, and ensuring proper chlorination and maintenance of pools and water storage systems.
