Brain-Eating Amoeba Claims Life of Boy in Kerala

A teenager from Alappuzha district in Kerala died from a rare brain infection caused by amoebae found in contaminated water, according to State Health Minister Veena George. The 15-year-old boy, who lived in Panavalli, was infected with a disease called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis. The minister confirmed that this was the fifth reported case of this rare infection in the state. The first case was reported in Thirumala ward of Alappuzha in 2016, followed by two cases in Malappuram in 2019 and 2020, and one case each in Kozhikode and Thrissur in 2020 and 2022 respectively.

The main symptoms of the disease include fever, headache, vomiting, and seizures. Unfortunately, all the infected patients have died, as the mortality rate for this rare brain infection is 100%. The infection is caused by free-living amoebae that are present in stagnant water. Doctors explain that the amoeba enters the body through the nose and infects the human brain.

Due to the seriousness of the disease, health officials have advised people to refrain from bathing in contaminated water to prevent infection.