Kerala reports sixth death from rare ‘brain-eating amoeba’ infection

A 47-year-old man from Kerala’s Malappuram district has died due to amoebic meningoencephalitis, The News Minute quoted health officials as saying on Wednesday. This marked the sixth death related to the rare brain infection in the state since August 14 and the second this week.

The man, identified as Shaji, was a resident of Chelempra Chaliparambu. He died at the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital, where he had been admitted on August 9. The source of his infection is not known yet.

Amoebic meningoencephalitis is caused by Naegleria fowleri, also known as “brain-eating amoeba”. It can destroy brain tissue and cause severe brain swelling.

The amoeba lives in warm freshwater, such as in lakes and rivers, and can infect persons after entering the body through the nose. The infection is not contagious.

Ten patients are being treated for the infection at the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital, according to The News Minute. One of them is reported to be in a critical condition.

On September 8, a 56-year-old woman, also from Malappuram, died due to the infection. Prior to this, a 45-year-old man from Wayanad died on September 6.

In August, three other fatalities were reported, including a three-month-old baby and a nine-year-old girl.

The infection has been previously reported in the state in 2024, 2023 and 2017.
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