Rare Brain-Eating Amoeba Kills 14-Year-Old in Kerala's KozhiKode

Kochi: A 14-year-old boy died during treatment on Wednesday for a rare brain eating amoebic infection found in contaminated waters. The amoebic infection is called amoebic meningoencephalitis, a rare brain infection caused by a free-living amoeba. Kerala state health department informed that the boy, identified as Mridul died at 11:20pm on Wednesday.

This is the third case of fatal infection reported in the southern state since May, a PTI report said. The first death was recorded of a five-year-old girl from Malappuram on May 21 and the second was a 13-year-old girl from Kannur who died on June 25.

As per health department officials, the child had taken a dip at a small pond and preventive measures were being taken. Medical experts said that the infection happens when free-living, non-parasitic amoebae bacteria enter the body through the nose from contaminated water. The heath authorities have alerted people to exercise caution against amoebic meningoencephalitis.

Previously, the disease was reported in coastal Alappuzha district in the state in 2023 and 2017. Amidst the concerning increase in amoebic meningoencephalitis cases, Kerala issued a critical health alert signaling an emergency across the state. The health department decided that special guidelines will be released for the state regarding the disease.

What is Amoebic meningoencephalitis?

This is a rare but lethal central nervous system infection caused by free living amoebae found in freshwater, lakes, and rivers. This infection is almost uniformly fatal and the mortality rate is above 90 percent despite antimicrobial therapy, scientific study by National Institute of Health suggested.

(With Inputs From PTI)