No amoebic brain infection cases in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka; Dr Haris points out reason

The number of people infected with amoebic meningoencephalitis, a rare and deadly brain infection, is increasing across the state, causing widespread concern. Reports also indicate a rise in deaths related to the disease. Most of the patients currently under treatment are from the Thiruvananthapuram district. Meanwhile, a note posted on Facebook by Dr Haris Chirakkal, former head of the Urology Department at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College, has drawn public attention.

According to Dr Haris, neighbouring states such as Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and others have not reported cases of this disease. He wrote that the root cause of this disease is poor waste disposal habits in Kerala.

Dr Haris’s Facebook post:

'Amoebic meningoencephalitis has already affected around 140 people, resulting in 26 deaths. The disease has not been reported in nearby states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, or elsewhere. There’s no need for deep research to find the reason - it’s simply due to waste dumping.

Diseases like this, which were unheard of 20 or 30 years ago, are the result of poor sanitation. We are paying the price for dumping slaughter waste, hotel waste, and septic tank waste into ponds and rivers. Leptospirosis, mosquito-borne dengue fever, and even the growing number of stray dogs — all are signs of unhygienic surroundings.

It’s the collective responsibility of society to fix this. Blaming doctors won’t solve anything.'