(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
In Kerala, officials say 104 people have been diagnosed with amoebic encephalitis—commonly known as brain fever—since the first case was reported last year. Of those, 23 have died, the state Health Minister Veena George told reporters and posted updates on Facebook.
The disease is caused by the brain‑eating amoeba Naegleria fowleri, a rare but often deadly infection. The most affected districts are Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram, with rising numbers in Kozhikode and Malappuram.
After a Nipah outbreak in Kozhikode in 2023, the state mandated that all encephalitis cases be reported immediately. Starting in 2024, the health department formalised reporting and began testing cases for amoebic causes. The latest update brings the total to 104 confirmed cases and 23 fatalities.
In 2024, Kerala published new guidelines for diagnosing and treating this infection. Globally, Naegleria fowleri infections kill about 98 % of patients, while related Acanthamoeba cases have a mortality rate above 70 %. Kerala’s early‑detection strategy has lowered the death rate dramatically.
Looking forward, the Ministry launched a One Health action plan in 2025. This plan brings health, environment and agriculture agencies together under Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s leadership. Together they are championing continuous chlorination, water safety checks and public education to prevent future outbreaks.
Kerala’s coordinated response shows that quick reporting, early treatment and joint action can save lives—even against a disease with one of the highest fatality rates in the world.
Source: aninews
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