Two more contract amoebic encephalitis in capital city; 14 affected by disease in two months

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Two more have been confirmed with amoebic encephalitis in the capital city. With this, the number of people presently undergoing treatment rose to three. A plus two student of Navaikulam were confirmed of the disease the other day.

The three are undergoing treatment in Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital. 14 people were diagnosed with the disease in two months in the state.

The first case in Thiruvananthapuram district was on August 10, when a woman from the 3rd Ward Edamannila Poredammukku of the panchayat contracted the disease. In Navaikulam Panchayat, about 80 warning boards were placed not to bathe in the water bodies, but a plus two student, a native of Decent Mukku, who ignored this, got into the pool and was diagnosed with the disease the other day. The child is recovering at the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital.

On last 22nd, after taking a bath with his friends in the Kappamvila Madankavu pool, the boy developed fever, cold and discomfort. He then sought treatment and the disease was confirmed. The others who bathed with him in the pool are under observation. A study has been started with the help of ICMR and National Institute of Epidemiology to find out the cause of disease in only a few of those who used the same water source.

Symptoms
Once the virus enters the body, it takes up to a week for symptoms to appear. Symptoms include headache, fever and vomiting. Treatment is available for this disease. The method is to make an accurate diagnosis and provide effective treatment with drugs including miltefosine.

Affects brain
The disease occurs when Naegleria fowleri, a type of amoeba, infects the brain. Meningoencephalitis is caused by the amoeba entering the brain through rare holes in the thin membrane that separates the nose from the brain or through a hole in the eardrum. It is a disease with a mortality rate of more than 97 percent.