A 14-year-old boy from Kerala’s Kozhikode district succumbed to a rare and deadly infection caused by Naegleria fowleri, commonly known as the brain-eating amoeba. This incident marks the third fatality from the amoeba in Kerala over the past two months, raising concerns among health officials and the public.
The teenager, who was admitted to the hospital on June 24, displayed symptoms including severe headache, nausea, and vomiting. It is suspected that he contracted the infection while bathing in a nearby stream. Despite medical intervention, his condition deteriorated rapidly, leading to his tragic death on Wednesday night.
The news of the Kerala teen’s death has sparked widespread concern, with “Kerala brain-eating amoeba” trending as the top search term on Google Trends, reflecting heightened public interest and anxiety over the rare infection.
Understanding Naegleria fowleri
Naegleria fowleri is a microorganism known for causing primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a severe infection of the brain. The amoeba typically enters the body through the nose, especially in warm freshwater environments such as lakes, rivers, and hot springs. Poorly-maintained swimming pools have also been cited as potential breeding grounds for the amoeba.
Symptoms of PAM can appear between two to 15 days after exposure and progress rapidly. Initial signs mimic those of bacterial or viral meningitis, including intense headaches, fever, stiff neck, nausea, and vomiting. As the infection advances, patients may experience confusion, seizures, loss of balance, and eventually coma. Tragically, the infection is fatal in nearly all cases.
Prevention and Treatment Challenges
Preventing Naegleria fowleri infection primarily involves avoiding activities in warm freshwater bodies, especially where water may forcibly enter the nasal passages. Contrary to concerns, swallowing water containing the amoeba does not lead to infection.
Treatment for PAM remains challenging due to its rapid progression and high fatality rate. While there have been rare instances of survival, medical interventions such as a combination of specific drugs like amphotericin B, rifampin, fluconazole, and miltefosine have been attempted with limited success.
Authorities in Kerala are now emphasizing public awareness and caution, urging residents to be vigilant when engaging in water-related activities, particularly in natural bodies of water during warm weather seasons.
Sources By Agencies
