Kerala has reported its fourth case of amoebic meningoencephalitis, a rare and fatal brain infection caused by a free-living amoeba found in contaminated water.
The latest patient, a 14-year-old boy from Payyoli, is currently receiving treatment at a private hospital.
His condition is said to be improving, according to hospital sources.
This marks the fourth reported case in Kerala since May, with all patients being children. Tragically, three of them have already succumbed to the disease.
The most recent fatality occurred on Wednesday, when another 14-year-old boy, Mridul lost his battle with the infection. Prior to that, a five-year-old girl from Malappuram and a 13-year-old girl from Kannur died on May 21 and June 25, respectively.
Doctors attribute the boy's improving condition to the prompt identification of the infection and the immediate administration of treatment, which included medicines sourced from abroad.
In response to the rising number of cases, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan convened a meeting on Friday to discuss preventive measures.
The chief minister urged the public to avoid bathing in unclean water bodies and pointed out the importance of proper chlorination of swimming pools.
Special caution was advised for children, who are most susceptible to the infection.
The use of swimming nose clips was also recommended to prevent the amoeba from entering the body through the nose.
Medical experts explained that the infection occurs when the amoeba enters the body through the nasal passage from contaminated water.
This disease had previously been reported in Kerala's coastal Alappuzha district in 2023 and 2017.
The government is now calling for increased vigilance and cleanliness to prevent further infections.
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