The Kerala government has reportedly gone into a huddle after a 14-year-old boy died of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, dubbed in the press as “brain-eating amoeba.” Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has reportedly conducted a meeting with Health Minister Veena George and Chief Secretary Dr Venu V to take stock of the situation and issue precautions to the people.
The CM has asked citizens to refrain from bathing in unclean water bodies as a precautionary measure and recommended proper chlorination of pools frequented by children, as all of the four cases reported in the state have been kids. Additionally, he also suggested the use of swimming nose clips.
A 14-year-old boy, a five-year-old girl and a teenager have died in North Kerala due to brain infection. The cause of the disease is non-parasitic amoeba entering the body through the nose through water.
What is Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis or “brain-eating amoeba?”
Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is an acute infection that rapidly affects the central nervous system. The amoeba Naegleria fowleri — known as “brain-eating amoeba” — is said to cause the infection.
Who is affected?
Infection commonly occurs in children and young adults who have a history of exposure to warm fresh water in ponds, pools water parks and man-made lakes. Older people can also be at risk. It usually occurs when the amoeba-infected water enters the brain through the nasal cavity.
The infection occurs mostly during the warm summer months when the water temperature suits the amoeba and when people usually go swimming.
How is it diagnosed?
Doctors diagnose the disease by examining cerebrospinal fluid.
It has a mortality rate of 98%, causing death in less than two weeks after exposure.
What are the symptoms?
Clinical symptoms start appearing from 5-7 after exposure but the infection can develop after 24 hours.
Symptoms include headaches, fever, nausea, fatigue and vomiting.
More serious symptoms such as anorexia, irritation, lethargy, light sensitivity, confusing seizures and possible coma.
Preventing “brain-eating amoeba” infection
Prevention is the best cure in the case of PAM since it has a high fatality rate. Avoiding water bodies, especially during the warmer months, is the best bet. Chlorination of swimming pools can also help to a certain extent.
References:
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Güémez A, García E. Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis by Naegleria fowleri: Pathogenesis and Treatments. Biomolecules. 2021 Sep 6;11(9):1320. doi: 10.3390/biom11091320. PMID: 34572533; PMCID: PMC8469197.\
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Chen M, Ruan W, Zhang L, Hu B, Yang X. Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis: A Case Report. Korean J Parasitol. 2019 Jun;57(3):291-294. doi: 10.3347/kjp.2019.57.3.291. Epub 2019 Jun 30. PMID: 31284352; PMCID: PMC6616161.