Kerala Health Minister Veena George has urged residents to exercise caution during the summer months due to a potential rise in cases of amoebic meningoencephalitis, a rare but often fatal brain infection. She emphasized the importance of taking preventive measures to reduce the risk of infection.
Precautions Recommended by the Minister
Minister George advised the public to avoid bathing or washing their faces in contaminated water. She stressed the need to keep water sources clean and to chlorinate wells and tanks as per health workers' recommendations. Swimming pools, spas, and water parks should also be properly chlorinated. People should avoid swimming or diving in stagnant water and use a nose clip when swimming. Never use unboiled or untreated water for nasal rinsing. Dumping waste into water bodies must be avoided, and water storage tanks should be cleaned every three months.
Monitoring and Early Detection
The minister stated that the quality of water in public places should be checked by the concerned departments, and necessary precautions should be taken. The health department has intensified monitoring efforts. Those showing symptoms of meningitis should seek medical attention promptly. The main symptoms include severe and sudden fever, headache, vomiting, neck pain, loss of consciousness, and difficulty seeing light.
All medical colleges in Kerala have the facility to detect amoebas in their microbiology departments. Facilities for species identification and molecular diagnosis of the amoeba are available at the Thiruvananthapuram public health lab, Thonnakkal IAV, and Kozhikode medical college microbiology department.
Understanding Amoebic Meningoencephalitis
Amoebic meningoencephalitis is caused by microorganisms like Acanthamoeba and Naegleria fowleri, which are found in warm lakes, ponds, and polluted pools. The amoeba enters the body through the nose and attacks the brain. People with weakened immune systems are more vulnerable to Acanthamoeba entering through wounds and affecting the brain and nervous system. They should clean hand and foot wounds only with clean, treated water.
Kerala's Success in Reducing Mortality
The state has taken strong measures to treat and prevent amoebic meningoencephalitis, implementing interventions for early detection and expert care. While global mortality from Naegleria fowleri is 99% and from Acanthamoeba is 70% to 90%, Kerala has reduced the rate to 24%. The state conducted a workshop with national experts, issued the first special protocol for the disease, and collaborated with ICMR on a study. These efforts enabled early detection and treatment for many patients.
