Brain eating amoeba raises concerns; Four deaths in eight days, two critical 

KOZHIKODE: Brain eating amoeba has created a concern in the state. The health condition of two undergoing treatment for the disease is very serious. Two natives of Malappuram have been diagnosed with the disease and are on ventilator. In the last eight days, three people undergoing treatment at the medical college have died of amoebic encephalitis. Medical College authorities have informed that medicines are being brought in from abroad and are being given to the patients. 12 people, including two children, are presently undergoing treatment.

A 56-year-old woman from Wandoor in Malappuram, was also diagnosed with the disease last afternoon. She has been admitted to the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital. Ratheesh of Sulthan Bathery in Wayanad, who was undergoing treatment for amoebic encephalitis died Saturday morning. A ten-year-old boy of Malappuram was diagnosed with amoebic encephalitis on Thursday. The child is being treated at the Kozhikode Medical College.

The doctors had informed that there was concern about the health condition of those in critical condition as they have other illnesses. A three-month-old baby who was undergoing treatment for amoebic encephalitis died the other day. The dead was Mohammed Ahil, son of Abdul Siddique and Mainuna of Omassery Kaniyampuram. The baby, who had low immunity, was being treated on a ventilator at the Maternal and Child Care Center.

The baby was admitted to the hospital on August 4 with a high fever. The disease was confirmed in a sample test conducted at the Virology Lab in Chandigarh. An examination conducted by the health department found that the disease was transmitted from the water in the well at home. Medical College doctors said that many people are seeking treatment with symptoms of amoebic encephalitis. The disease is confirmed in at least one person every day.

Meantime, doctors said there are complications in finding the source of the disease. Amoebic encephalitis is a disease that occurs when a pathogen belonging to the amoeba family called Naegleria fowleri infects the brain. Of these, the amoeba known as ‘brain-eating amoeba’ is the most dangerous. This can quickly damage the brain and affects people who bathe in stagnant water and those who swim.