KOZHIKODE: A five-year-old girl is battling for her life as she suffers from a rare brain infection called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), often referred to as 'brain-eating amoeba. The girl, who hails from Moonniyur in Malappuram, is undergoing treatment at the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital. The child developed symptoms after she took a bath in the Kadalundi River last week. She was admitted to the hospital on May 10.

The child, whose condition remains critical, has been put on ventilator support. Three other children have been placed under observation with similar symptoms. The 'brain-eating ' amoeba is mostly found in stagnant water. Health workers said that the disease is not contagious and there is no need to worry.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Veena George has said that prevention activities should be intensified in the state as intermittent rains lead to the spread of dengue fever. The minister also said that various departments should coordinate their efforts to prevent the spread of the disease. The minister said that everyone should participate in pre-monsoon cleanup efforts and that every individual can make a significant contribution to stopping the spread of dengue illness.