Kozhikode (Kerala), Another case of amoebic meningoencephalitis, a rare brain infection caused by free-living amoeba found in contaminated water, has been reported from Kerala.
A 14-year-old boy, a resident of Payyoli in North Kerala district, is suffering from the disease, according to sources at the private hospital where he is undergoing treatment.
This is the fourth case of the rare brain infection in the state since May and all the patients are children, three of whom have already died.
In the latest case, one of the doctors treating the boy said that he was admitted to the hospital on July 1 and his condition is improving.
The doctor said on Saturday that the infection was immediately identified at the hospital and treatment, including medicines from abroad, was immediately given.
A 14-year-old boy infected with free-living amoeba died here on Wednesday.
Earlier, two others – a five-year-old girl from Malappuram and a 13-year-old girl from Kannur – had died on May 21 and June 25 respectively due to a rare brain infection.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan held a meeting on Friday in which several suggestions were made, including not bathing in unclean water bodies, to prevent further infection.
The statement said the meeting also suggested that there should be proper chlorination of swimming pools and children should be careful while entering water bodies as they are most affected by the disease, the statement said.
The Chief Minister also said that everyone should take care of keeping the reservoirs clean.
The meeting also suggested using swimming nose clips to prevent infection by free-living amoeba.
Medical experts said the infection occurs when free-living, non-parasitic amoeba bacteria enter the body through contaminated water through the nose.
The disease was first reported in the state's coastal Alappuzha district in 2023 and 2017.
A 14-year-old boy, a resident of Payyoli in North Kerala district, is suffering from the disease, according to sources at the private hospital where he is undergoing treatment.
This is the fourth case of the rare brain infection in the state since May and all the patients are children, three of whom have already died.
In the latest case, one of the doctors treating the boy said that he was admitted to the hospital on July 1 and his condition is improving.
The doctor said on Saturday that the infection was immediately identified at the hospital and treatment, including medicines from abroad, was immediately given.
A 14-year-old boy infected with free-living amoeba died here on Wednesday.
Earlier, two others – a five-year-old girl from Malappuram and a 13-year-old girl from Kannur – had died on May 21 and June 25 respectively due to a rare brain infection.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan held a meeting on Friday in which several suggestions were made, including not bathing in unclean water bodies, to prevent further infection.
The statement said the meeting also suggested that there should be proper chlorination of swimming pools and children should be careful while entering water bodies as they are most affected by the disease, the statement said.
The Chief Minister also said that everyone should take care of keeping the reservoirs clean.
The meeting also suggested using swimming nose clips to prevent infection by free-living amoeba.
Medical experts said the infection occurs when free-living, non-parasitic amoeba bacteria enter the body through contaminated water through the nose.
The disease was first reported in the state's coastal Alappuzha district in 2023 and 2017.
