ALAPPUZHA: It was in 2016 that the rare case of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis was first reported in Kerala. Alappuzha Thirumala native Navas(13) died then. Navas, an eighth-standard student caught the disease while taking a swim in the Pallathuruthy stream.

Last day, another 15-year-old died of this rare disease taking the whole casualty number to 6. In 2019 and 2020, cases were registered in Malappuram. In 2020 another case was registered in Kozhikode, and in 2022 from Thrissur. All died while undergoing treatment.

Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis is caused by brain-eating amoeba. This amoeba is found in stagnant water bodies. It is a rare disease affecting only one in ten thousand. The amoeba, which lives freely in water, enters the body through the nose or when bathing in blackened pools.

The symptoms of the disease are fever, headache, vomiting, seizures, and changes in personality or behavior, the minister said. The district health department officials have instructed them to avoid bathing and washing their face in contaminated water.

The health department warned people, especially students to avoid swimming in dirt-filled ponds that remain clogged. People should also avoid washing their mouths in such water.