Rare Brain Infection Hits Teen in Kerala: Swimming Pool Link Under Probe
An 18-year-old boy in Thiruvananthapuram is fighting a rare and dangerous brain infection called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) after testing positive for acanthamoeba, a type of free-living amoeba found in water. Doctors at the Government Medical College Hospital confirmed the case on Sunday, and the good news is he’s stable and getting treatment with miltefosine, a key drug for this infection.
The teen first felt sick on August 18, complaining of fever, headache, and dizziness. He visited a private hospital in Kanjiramkulam, but as things got worse, they moved him to another in Neyyattinkara and then to a city hospital. Early tests on his cerebrospinal fluid didn’t spot the amoeba, but PCR tests from Coimbatore nailed it as acanthamoeba infection.
Health teams dug into his story and found a big clue: On August 16, he and six friends went swimming at the Akkulam Tourism Village pool, run by the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC). He dived in without a nose clip, which experts say could let the amoeba enter through the nose and attack the brain. Luckily, his friends seem fine with no symptoms yet. Officials are checking if other water spots played a role too.
This isn’t the first time Kerala has seen these scary waterborne infections. Thiruvananthapuram district already has nine active PAM cases, with two deaths this year—both in patients with other health issues. Last year, the area reported 20 cases, and seven of them clustered around similar exposures.
In response, DTPC shut down the Akkulam pool right away for deep cleaning and maintenance. They’ve sent water samples for PCR testing at a public health lab, and results should come in two days. The pool stays closed until it’s 100% safe—no shortcuts here.
Kerala’s history with free-living amoebae like acanthamoeba and Naegleria fowleri shows how tricky these pathogens are. From 2019 to 2023, four Naegleria cases popped up in districts like Malappuram, Thrissur, and Alappuzha. This year alone, 2024 has seen a mix of Naegleria fowleri, Vermamoeba vermiformis, and acanthamoeba in places including Malappuram, Thiruvananthapuram, Kannur, Kollam, Kozhikode, Palakkad, and Thrissur. Some cases even tied back to pipe water, not just pools.
Health experts are sounding the alarm: Keep a close eye on swimming pools, recreational water spots, and even home water sources. These amoebae lurk in warm, untreated water and can cause fatal brain infections if they get in through the nose. Simple steps like using nose clips while swimming and ensuring proper chlorination can make a huge difference in preventing amoebic meningoencephalitis in Kerala. Stay safe out there!
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