Brain-eating amoeba claims 2 more lives, including infant in Kerala

Kozhikode: Kerala reported two more deaths from amoebic meningoencephalitis, a rare and often fatal brain infection, including a three-month-old infant and a 52-year-old woman, both of whom were undergoing treatment at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital, health officials said on Monday.

With these deaths, the death count from the amoebic brain fever in the state has risen to three within August, officials said, news agency IANS reported.

The infant was the son of Abubacker Siddique from Omassery in this district and had been receiving treatment at the hospital for the past month. His condition worsened on Sunday, leading to his death in the ICU, an official said.

The other victim, Ramla (52) of Kappil in Malappuram district, developed symptoms on July 8. She was initially treated at a private hospital and later shifted to Kozhikode Medical College as her condition deteriorated.

Also Read:Kerala launches campaign against Amoebic Meningoencephalitis amid 18 active cases

According to health officials, eight other patients from Kozhikode, Malappuram, and Wayanad districts are currently undergoing treatment at the hospital.

Earlier, on August 14, a nine-year-old girl from Thamarassery had died at the hospital due to the same infection.

According to health officials, amoebic meningoencephalitis is primarily contracted through swimming or bathing in contaminated water. A total of 42 cases have been reported across Kerala this year.

Following the recurring cases, the Health Department has initiated chlorination of wells and water storage tanks in Kozhikode, Wayanad, and Malappuram districts.

Awareness campaigns are also being conducted to prevent new cases, the official added.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that amid a recent surge in amoebic meningoencephalitis cases, with 18 patients currently undergoing treatment, Kerala Health Minister Veena George urged the people of the state to ensure water sources are kept clean and safe. Minister George also announced a mass public campaign to prevent the spread of the rare but fatal brain infection.

Also Read:Kerala on alert after rare brain-eating amoeba kills 9-year-old girl