Amebic encephalitis in Kerala; Three-month-old baby's health worsens, condition extremely critical

KOZHIKODE: The condition of a three-month-old baby, diagnosed with amoebic encephalitis, remains critical. The baby, a native of Omassery, is currently on a ventilator, according to reports. The baby was admitted to the hospital 14 days ago with symptoms of the disease.

The source of the disease was found to be the water from the well in the toddler’s house. This well has been completely drained and cleaned. An instruction was also made to chlorinate all the wells in the area. The 40-year-old man, a native of Annassery, diagnosed with the disease yesterday, is being treated in the intensive care unit of the Medical College.

The child and the forty-year-old man were confirmed to be infected during tests conducted at the Microbiology Lab of the Medical College. Their samples have been sent to the Virology Lab in Chandigarh for further testing.

The previous day, Anaya, a native of Thamarassery, died of the disease. The Health Department issued a precautionary advisory not to bathe in the water bodies on the premises.

Amebic encephalitis is an exceptionally rare and highly lethal central nervous system infection caused by free-living amoebae found in freshwater, lakes, and rivers. The disease occurs when pathogens such as Naegleria fowleri, Acanthamoeba, Sapinia, and Balamuthia vermiforma infect the brain. The amoeba enters the brain through the pores in the thin membrane separating the nose and brain or through a hole in the eardrum, causing meningoencephalitis. It is a disease with a mortality rate of more than 97 per cent.