Kozhikode (Kerala), A 12-year-old boy has been affected by amoebic meningoencephalitis, a rare brain infection caused by a free-living amoeba found in contaminated water, in the Kozhikode district of Kerala, according to sources at the private hospital where the finds. he is being treated.
This is the third case of a near-fatal infection reported in the southern state since May.
The first was of a five-year-old girl from Malappuram who died on May 21 and the second was of a 13-year-old girl from Kannur who died on June 25.
The third case is that of a 12-year-old boy from Kozhikode who was admitted to Baby Memorial Hospital on Monday.
One of the doctors who treated him said the infection was identified and treatment began the same day.
"We identified the infection in tests carried out in our laboratories and informed the DMO, which took preventive measures by closing access to the pond where the child had bathed," the doctor said.
The samples were then sent for testing to a laboratory in Puducherry, from where the printed PCR report officially confirming the infection is awaited, he said.
"The disease has a mortality rate of 95 to 100 percent. The child remains in critical condition," the doctor said.
He said the hospital was able to quickly identify the infection and begin treatment, as it was the third case of the disease and the protocols were already in place to treat it.
According to medical experts, the infection occurs when free-living non-parasitic amoeba bacteria enter the body through the nose from contaminated water.
On Thursday, the Department of Health asked people to be careful against amoebic meningoencephalitis.
"Bathing in stagnant water and diving in water should be avoided as much as possible as this disease has been reported in Kerala. Water in theme parks and swimming pools should be properly chlorinated to ensure it is clean," he said. .
The disease was previously reported in the coastal Alappuzha district of the state in 2023 and 2017.
The main symptoms of the disease are fever, headache, vomiting and seizures.
This is the third case of a near-fatal infection reported in the southern state since May.
The first was of a five-year-old girl from Malappuram who died on May 21 and the second was of a 13-year-old girl from Kannur who died on June 25.
The third case is that of a 12-year-old boy from Kozhikode who was admitted to Baby Memorial Hospital on Monday.
One of the doctors who treated him said the infection was identified and treatment began the same day.
"We identified the infection in tests carried out in our laboratories and informed the DMO, which took preventive measures by closing access to the pond where the child had bathed," the doctor said.
The samples were then sent for testing to a laboratory in Puducherry, from where the printed PCR report officially confirming the infection is awaited, he said.
"The disease has a mortality rate of 95 to 100 percent. The child remains in critical condition," the doctor said.
He said the hospital was able to quickly identify the infection and begin treatment, as it was the third case of the disease and the protocols were already in place to treat it.
According to medical experts, the infection occurs when free-living non-parasitic amoeba bacteria enter the body through the nose from contaminated water.
On Thursday, the Department of Health asked people to be careful against amoebic meningoencephalitis.
"Bathing in stagnant water and diving in water should be avoided as much as possible as this disease has been reported in Kerala. Water in theme parks and swimming pools should be properly chlorinated to ensure it is clean," he said. .
The disease was previously reported in the coastal Alappuzha district of the state in 2023 and 2017.
The main symptoms of the disease are fever, headache, vomiting and seizures.
