KOZHIKODE: Yet another case of amoebic meningoencephalitis has been confirmed in the state. The infection was detected in a 56-year-old woman from Vandoor in Malappuram. She has been admitted to the Kozhikode Medical College. At present, 11 patients with the infection are undergoing treatment at the hospital. According to reports, the condition of two of them is critical.

Bathery native Ratheesh, who was under treatment for amoebic meningoencephalitis, died on Saturday morning. On Thursday, a 10-year-old boy from Malappuram was also diagnosed with the infection and is being treated at Kozhikode Medical College. Doctors have said that the condition of some patients remains critical as they also suffer from other illnesses.

Just a day ago, a three-month-old baby who was infected with the disease died while undergoing treatment. The child, Muhammad Aahil, son of Abdul Siddique and Mainoona of Kaniyamburam, Omassery, had been on a ventilator at the Mother and Child Care Centre due to weak immunity. The baby was admitted on August 4 with a high fever. Tests conducted at the virology lab in Chandigarh later confirmed the infection. Health department officials found that the disease had spread from contaminated well water at the family’s house.

Doctors at Kozhikode Medical College said many people with symptoms of amoebic meningoencephalitis are seeking treatment, with at least one new case being confirmed every day. However, they added that identifying the exact source of infection is proving difficult.

Amoebic meningoencephalitis is caused when the brain is infected by Naegleria fowleri, a type of amoeba. The infection is often referred to as the “brain-eating amoeba” disease, as it rapidly destroys brain tissue. It typically affects people who swim or dive in stagnant water.