People bathing in bathrooms too contract amoebic encephalitis; Detailed study needed, more cases in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Health experts have directed to conduct a detailed study on amoebic encephalitis. So far, the disease was affected by those bathing in contaminated water. However, the new directive is in the wake of people getting infected even after bathing in bathrooms. 16 people have died from the disease this year. Health experts assess that there is no effective coordination in prevention and studies. The highest number of cases reported so far is in Kerala.

In the wake of rising number of people infected with the disease, the health department has intensified preventive activities in the state. A campaign for water purification has been started focusing on various health institutions. The campaign is being carried out with the cooperation of health institutions, local self-government institutions, ASHA workers, Kudumbashree workers and volunteers.

Amoebic encephalitis or brain eating infection is a very rare disease that occurs in people who bathe in stagnant water and swim. The amoeba enters the brain through the thin membrane that separates the nose and brain or through a hole in the eardrum. This disease has a mortality rate of more than 97 percent. When you bathe in the water, the amoeba in the mud at the bottom mixes with the water and enters the body through the nose. Symptoms appear within one to nine days after infection.

Symptoms

• Severe headache, fever, nausea, vomiting
• Difficulty in turning the neck
• Difficulty in looking at light
• Reluctance to eat
• Appearing inactive
• Unusual reactions
• If the disease is severe, seizures, fainting, and memory loss

Prevention

• Avoid bathing and swimming in stagnant water
• Water in water theme parks and swimming pools should be chlorinated
• See that water does not enter your nose when bathing in water sources.
• Avoid bathing in contaminated water
• Use well water only after chlorination.
• Water storage tanks should be cleaned at regular intervals