Operators of swimming pools and water theme parks have been instructed to strictly follow routine cleaning, chlorination, and recycling of water.
Published Sep 22, 2025 | 8:00 AM ⚊ Updated Sep 22, 2025 | 9:34 AM
Brain-eating amoeba Naegleria fowleri. (iStock)
Synopsis: Tamil Nadu’s Health Department has urged strict monitoring and maintenance of swimming pools and water theme parks after neighbouring Kerala reported cases of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a rare but often fatal infection caused by Naegleria fowleri. While calling for caution during the festive season, officials have stressed that PAM is not contagious and spreads only when the amoeba enters the body through the nose, usually after exposure to stagnant or poorly treated freshwater.
With neighbouring Kerala reporting cases of the rare and often fatal brain-eating amoeba infection, Tamil Nadu’s Health Department has urged strict maintenance of swimming pools and water theme parks to prevent the spread of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM).
PAM, caused by the amoeba Naegleria fowleri, is rare but highly fatal, often affecting healthy children and young adults after recent exposure to stagnant freshwater.
Its early symptoms resemble meningitis, making timely diagnosis difficult. Kerala has introduced a treatment protocol, while Tamil Nadu is stressing caution and preventive measures.
With large numbers of people travelling between Tamil Nadu and Kerala for the festive season, health officials have reminded the public to be cautious about water use in the wake of PAM cases reported in Kerala.
While the disease is rare and not a serious threat in Tamil Nadu, authorities say simple precautions can reduce risks during trips.
In August, Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian had cautioned the public after Kerala reported multiple cases of PAM.
He advised people to avoid unsafe water sources such as ponds, puddles, and poorly maintained swimming pools, stressing that Naegleria fowleri enters the body through the nose and can cause fatal brain infection.
Director of Public Health A Somasundaram clarified that PAM is not contagious and does not spread from person to person, so measures like masks or border checks are unnecessary.
“We have advised close monitoring of swimming pools, but there is no need for panic,” he said, urging the public to rely only on safe water for bathing and drinking.
The department has advised people to avoid bathing in dirty, stagnant water or poorly maintained swimming pools, where Naegleria fowleri can thrive.
Operators of swimming pools and water theme parks have been instructed to strictly follow routine cleaning, chlorination, and recycling of water.
Deputy Director of Health Services for Coimbatore, P Balusamy, said health inspectors across districts have been asked to ensure cleanliness in all pools and recreational water facilities.
These measures, officials said, are part of ongoing monitoring, alongside last year’s advisory to medical practitioners to watch for PAM symptoms such as headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, hallucinations, confusion, and seizures.
To stay safe while travelling this festive season, always bathe and drink water from treated or chlorinated sources, and avoid using untreated water from wells, rivers, or lakes.
When enjoying water activities, choose properly maintained, chlorinated pools, and consider using nose clips to prevent water from entering the nasal passages.
Additionally, be vigilant for early signs of PAM, including fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, and stiff neck, and seek immediate medical attention if symptoms worsen. Keep informed by staying updated with local health advisories and following guidelines provided by health authorities.
Equally important, refrain from swimming or bathing in ponds, lakes, or rivers that are not chlorinated. Avoid stirring up sediment in shallow freshwater areas, as the amoeba thrives in such environments.
Also, never use untreated water for rinsing sinuses or nasal passages; always use distilled or boiled water. Finally, do not dive or submerge your head in warm, untreated freshwater bodies.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
