A rare but deadly âbrain-eating amoebaâ infection has put Kerala on alert. With summer approaching and freshwater exposure increasing, authorities have issued a warning, flagging the risks of PAM, a disease with a strikingly high fatality rate.
There have been efforts to conduct surveillance and encourage people to take precautionary steps, especially when coming into contact with or entering freshwater sources.
Keralaâs Health Minister, Veena George, has urged people not to bathe or wash their faces with contaminated water and has directed that individuals displaying signs of encephalitis be tested for amoebic infection as well.
According to the minister, this infection may enter the body through the nostrils and can reach the brain. Authorities added that in individuals with weak immunity, it may also enter through open wounds, potentially affecting the neurological system.
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What is this âBrain-Eating Amoebaâ?
Naegleria fowleri is a rare type of amoeba that causes Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), commonly referred to as the âbrain-eating amoebaâ infection.
This rare organism thrives in warm, stagnant waters such as lakes and streams. It can enter the body through the nostrils and travel to the brain. Infection does not occur by swallowing contaminated water, but when water enters the nose.
The condition causes severe brain swelling or inflammation and is fatal in the vast majority of cases. It typically occurs when a person comes into contact with contaminated freshwater.
Health Minister Veena George highlighted the seriousness of the infection, citing both national and global data.
Mortality from Naegleria fowleri is estimated at about 99% worldwide, while infections caused by Acanthamoeba show a mortality rate of 70% to 90%. She noted that effective intervention efforts in Kerala have reduced the mortality rate to about 24%, a significant decline compared to global figures.
What is PAM?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), PAM is a rare but deadly brain infection caused by Naegleria fowleri, which destroys brain tissue and leads to severe swelling.
As per a report by NDTV, most cases occur after swimming or diving in warm freshwater bodies such as lakes and rivers, although rare cases involve water entering the nose through other means.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, the fatality rate exceeds 97% despite treatment.
PAM symptoms to note
It is important to note that health officials recommend being able to recognise symptoms, especially after contact with freshwater. Symptoms linked to PAM can include:
Fever
Headache
Nausea
Vomiting
Tremors
Rigidity of the neck
Excessive sensitivity to light (photophobia)
Confusion
Coma
Since early symptoms may be similar to those of other neurological diseases, the state of Kerala has advised testing amoebic infections even in cases of encephalitis.
Who is at higher risk?
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) outlines several risk factors:
Freshwater contact
The majority of infections have occurred through swimming, diving, and dunking of the head in fresh water sources like lakes, ponds, and rivers, where the amoeba can thrive.
Contaminated tap water exposure
While not very common, the infection has also been associated with rinsing sinus passages with contaminated tap water and using nasal irrigation devices. Extremely rarely, inadequate chlorination of recreational water facilities like splash pads and surfing parks has also been linked to Naegleria infections.
Geographic and environmental factors
Naegleria infections have traditionally been associated with freshwater sources favourable for survival of the amoeba.
