According to medical experts, the amoeba develops in stagnant and polluted water sources such as ponds, tanks, and waterlogged areas.
Published Aug 29, 2025 | 9:49 AM ⚊ Updated Aug 29, 2025 | 9:49 AM
Brain-eating amoeba Naegleria fowleri. (iStock)
Tamil Nadu Health and Family Welfare Minister Ma Subramanian on Thursday, 28 August, provided an update on the rare brain infection caused by the “brain-eating” amoeba (Naegleria fowleri).
“It has been reported that in Kerala, 18 people are undergoing treatment after being affected by this infection. Over the past week, the condition has been observed more frequently,” he said.
According to medical experts, the amoeba develops in stagnant and polluted water sources such as ponds, tanks, and waterlogged areas. When people bathe in such contaminated waters, the amoeba can enter through the nose, reach the brain, and cause brain fever, leading to fatalities, he added.
He also emphasised the need for caution without panic, stating, “This is not a communicable disease, so there is no need for widespread panic. Residents are advised to avoid bathing in stagnant or polluted water sources and to follow recommended preventive measures.”
Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM) is a rare but often fatal brain infection caused by Naegleria fowleri. Infection occurs when contaminated water enters the nose, allowing the organism to reach the brain and cause rapid inflammation.
In Kerala, 41 amoebic meningoencephalitis cases have been reported in 2025, with 18 active cases across several districts, including Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode.
Awareness and training sessions for teachers and students will begin after Onam, supported by surveillance and safety signage around contaminated water sources.
Recent cases in Kerala have highlighted the risks of exposure to contaminated water, prompting health authorities to issue advisories and implement preventive measures.
PAM is a rare but often fatal brain infection caused by Naegleria fowleri. Symptoms typically appear within 1–9 days and include severe headache, fever, vomiting, neck stiffness, sensitivity to light, seizures and loss of consciousness. Children may also show lethargy, poor appetite and unresponsiveness.
A recent study by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), conducted in collaboration with the District Medical Offices (Health) of Alappuzha, Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Thrissur districts, the Central Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM), Kozhikode, and other agencies, highlighted several concerns.
Delayed water sample collection can complicate diagnosis; misdiagnosis is also common (some patients were initially treated for other forms of meningitis), and there is a pressing need for public health awareness campaigns in local languages.
The study also noted that while the amoeba exists in freshwater worldwide, cases in India remain underreported, emphasising the importance of timely detection and preventive measures.
Hospitals are advised to follow Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs), including rapid testing of cerebrospinal fluid in suspected cases and considering PAM when patients do not respond to standard antibiotic treatment.
Do’s:
• Use only distilled, sterilised, or properly boiled water for nasal cleansing (eg, neti pots).
• If using tap water, boil it for one minute (three minutes if at high altitudes) and let it cool before use.
• Use water filters labelled “NSF 53,” “NSF 58,” or with an absolute pore size of one micron or smaller.
• Disinfect water with chlorine bleach (in proper amounts) for nasal cleaning.
• Inform your healthcare provider if you develop fever, headache, or other symptoms after exposure to warm freshwater.
Don’ts:
• Do not swim, wade, or do water sports in warm, stagnant freshwater, especially without nose protection.
• Avoid entering water sources known or suspected to contain Naegleria fowleri.
• Do not use untreated tap water for nasal irrigation or other nasal cleaning practices.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
