Amoebic Meningoencephalitis confirmed in state; public should be warned about how infection spreads and preventive measures

With four more cases of Amoebic Meningoencephalitis confirmed in Thiruvananthapuram, public concern has increased. Although the health department is taking precautionary measures, city dwellers also need to be extra careful. Amoebic Meningoencephalitis is a rare disease that occurs in people who come in contact with water bodies. The disease occurs when bacteria belonging to the genus Amoeba infect the brain. It is a fatal disease if not treated immediately. The death rate is almost more than 97 percent. Five people are undergoing treatment at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital due to Amoebic Meningoencephalitis. The condition of the Peroorkada native is critical. It is not known how he contracted the disease.

It was suspected that Akhil, a native of Athiyannur, who died, contracted the disease after taking bath in a pond. The panchayat authorities had closed the pond with a net and sent the water to the public health lab for testing because of this. As its result was negative, Akhil cannot be considered to have contracted the disease from the pond. The investigation is on from where else he contracted the disease. Experts say that when people go into the water, the amoeba from the sediment in the bottom mixes with the water and enters their body through the nose. The presence of amoeba increases when the amount of stagnant water decreases during summer.

In the olden days, even middle-class houses in villages had ponds. It was drained by the household every one or two years and the mud was cleared. Such ponds have disappeared now. The rest of the ponds are in lands of places of places of worship, local institutions etc. Local bodies have funds to clean such ponds. These are the situations when it becomes clear that it is necessary to clean the ponds at regular intervals. People should be careful to take preventive measures. Bathing in standing water should be avoided by children and adults alike. Health Minister Veena George has warned that people who use water from ponds covered with algae or for bathing animals should be very careful.

Since Amoebic Meningoencephalitis has been confirmed in the district, the Health Department should take steps to ensure the availability of medicine in all government hospitals. School trips and other trips in groups to water theme parks and other places where stagnant water is present should be done after taking all precautions. Special care should be taken by those who regularly use swimming pools. Severe headache is the main symptom. Symptoms appear within one to nine days of infection. Prevention is only possible if treatment is sought immediately after symptoms are detected.