Kerala is facing a health emergency after a 56-year-old woman from Malappuram died of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), the rare and often fatal brain-eating amoeba infection. Her death is the fifth reported fatality within a month, intensifying public concern.
Rising Death Toll
The woman, M. Shobhana from Wandoor, was admitted to Kozhikode Medical College Hospital (KMCH) last Thursday. Despite intensive treatment, she remained unconscious and succumbed on Monday.
Just last week, a 45-year-old man from Wayanad died from the same infection after a week of treatment. Victims also include a three-month-old infant and a nine-year-old girl from Kozhikode, highlighting the infection’s growing reach.
Scale of the Outbreak
- 42 confirmed cases reported in Kerala this year.
- Kozhikode, Malappuram, and Wayanad are the worst affected districts.
- Five deaths in a single month raise alarm among health authorities.
Government Response
The Kerala Health Department has invoked the State Public Health Act to intensify containment. Measures include:
- Statewide water purification drives in wells, tanks, and public water bodies.
- Ban on swimming in untreated or stagnant freshwater sources.
- Public advisories urging people to seek immediate medical attention if symptoms such as fever, headache, or vomiting appear after freshwater exposure.
About Brain-Eating Amoeba
The infection is caused by Naegleria fowleri, a free-living amoeba found in freshwater lakes, rivers, and ponds. It enters the body through the nose during swimming, bathing, or nasal rinsing, then rapidly travels to the brain, causing primary amoebic meningoencephalitis.
Health experts warn the condition is rare but almost always fatal. Early detection and medical care are critical for survival.