A 14-years-old boy from Kozhikode, Kerala has tragically died from a rare and deadly brain infection caused by a “brain-eating amoeba”. This marks the third such fatality in the state in just the past three months, underscoring the urgent need for public awareness and preventive measures.
The victim, identified as E.P. Mridul, was a Class VII student who had contracted the infection after bathing in a local pond near his school. He was initially taken to the government taluk hospital in Ferike but was later referred to the Government Medical College Hospital in Kozhikode and then private hospital as his condition deteriorated.
Mridul had been in critical condition since June 2024 and ultimately passed away on July 3 at 11.20 pm. This tragic loss of life comes on the heels of two other recent deaths from the same disease in Kerala – a 5-year-old girl from Malappuram who died on May 20, and a 13-year-old girl from Kannur who succumbed on June 12.
Who is Amoebic Meningoencephalitis?
The infection that claimed Mridul’s life is known as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a rare and severe brain disease caused by the free-living amoeba Naegleria fowleri. This organism, often referred to as the “brain-eating amoeba“, thrives in warm freshwater environments such as lakes, rivers, and hot springs.
The amoeba enters the body through the nose, typically during activities like swimming or diving, and then migrates to the brain where it begins destroying neural tissue. This leads to a rapid onset of severe symptoms including headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, confusion, seizures, and hallucinations.
Unfortunately, PAM progresses extremely quickly, with patients often deteriorating and entering a coma within just 1-12 days after the first symptoms appear. The disease is almost invariably fatal, with a mortality rate estimated between 95-1005.
How Does the Infection Spread?
Naegleria fowleri infections occur when the amoeba-contaminated water enters the nose and travels to the brain. This can happen during activities like swimming, diving, or even flushing the nasal passages with contaminated water.
Importantly, the infection cannot be spread from person to person – it requires direct exposure to the amoeba-laden water source. Swallowing contaminated water does not cause infection, as the amoeba cannot survive the acidic environment of the stomach.
Health authorities have advised the public to be cautious when engaging in water activities, especially in warm freshwater bodies that may harbor the dangerous amoeba. Specific preventive measures include:
- Avoiding swimming, diving, or submerging the head in warm freshwater lakes rivers, and hot springs
- Using nose clips or holding the nose shut when engaging in water activities
- Ensuring that swimming pools and water parks are properly chlorinated and maintained
Tragic Trend in Kerala
The recent deaths in Karela highlight a concerning trend, as this marks the third such fatality from PAM in the state over the past three months. Before this, the disease was reported in the coastal Alappuzha district in 2017 and 2023.
In response, the Kerla Health Department has announced plans to issue special guidelines for the treatment and prevention of amoebic meningoencephalitis. This includes advising children with ear infections to valid bathing in ponds or stagnant water, as well as directing regular chlorination of swimming pools and water parks.
Health Minister Veena George also convened a high-level meeting of the department to address this emerging public health concern. Urgent action is needed to raise awareness, improve surveillance, and implement effective preventive measures to protect the people of Kerala from this deadly threat.
A Tragic Loss of Young Life
The death of 14-year-old Mridul is a heartbreaking tragedy that no family should have to endure. His passing, along with the other recent victims in the state, underscores the devastating impact of this rare but highly lethal brain infection.
As the Kerala health authorities work to combat the spread of Naegleria fowleri, it is crucial that the public remains vigilant and takes necessary precautions. By raising awareness and promoting safe water practices, lives may be saved and future tragedies averted.
While the scientific community continues to search for more effective treatments, the priority must be on prevention -ensuring that the public, especially children, are educated about the dangers of this brain-eating amoeba and empowered to protect themselves. Only through a concerted, multi-pronged effort can we hope to prevent such senseless loss of young life in the future.