Elderly woman dies of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) in Kerala.
A 73-year-old woman in Kerala died from primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a rare but lethal central nervous system infection. The infection is caused by Naegleria fowleri, a free-living amoeba found in freshwater, lakes, rivers, and poorly maintained swimming pools. The woman developed symptoms like fever and headache on May 6 and is suspected to have contracted the infection by washing her face with water from a canal. Following her death, local health authorities initiated superchlorination of water sources, including wells, to prevent further spread.
Key Points
- A woman in Kerala died from Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM).
- PAM is a rare and lethal central nervous system infection.
- It is caused by Naegleria fowleri, a free-living amoeba found in freshwater bodies and poorly maintained pools.
- The suspected source of infection was water from a canal used for washing.
- Health authorities are taking preventive measures like superchlorination of water sources.
Exam Facts
- The disease is Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM).
- The causative agent is Naegleria fowleri.
- The incident occurred in Nellikuzhi, Kothamangalam, Ernakulam district of Kerala.
- The woman was a worker under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.
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