Rare and Fatal Amoebic Meningoencephalitis Cases Reported in Kerala's Kasaragod and Wayanad
Kerala is witnessing a rise in cases of Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), a rare but highly fatal brain infection. A 32-year-old man in Kasaragod and a 45-year-old in Wayanad are among the recent victims. The infection is caused by Naegleria fowleri, an amoeba commonly found in warm, stagnant freshwater bodies like ponds and rivers. The amoeba enters the human body through the nose and travels to the brain, causing severe inflammation. Symptoms include headache, fever, and vomiting, progressing rapidly to seizures and memory loss. Health departments are currently monitoring several others under treatment.
Key Points
- Amoebic meningoencephalitis is caused by the free-living amoeba Naegleria fowleri, often found in stagnant water.
- The pathogen typically enters the body through the nasal passage during activities like swimming or bathing in contaminated water.
- Initial symptoms include neck stiffness, fever, and vomiting, but the disease progresses rapidly with a very high mortality rate.
- Health authorities in Kerala are investigating waterborne transmission through contaminated well water and local ponds.
Exam Facts
- Pathogen: Naegleria fowleri (commonly known as the 'brain-eating amoeba').
- Affected regions: Kasaragod, Wayanad, Malappuram, and Kozhikode in Kerala.
- Transmission route: Nasal entry from warm, stagnant freshwater bodies.
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