Archive · 18 Sep 2025
Kerala Faces Rise in Brain-Eating Amoeba Infections
Kerala is experiencing a rise in cases of PAM, a dangerous brain infection caused by the amoeba Naegleria fowleri.
This amoeba lives in warm freshwater and enters the body through the nose while swimming or bathing.
Symptoms include fever, headache, and confusion, leading to coma and death.
The infection is not spread from person to person.
Prevention involves avoiding contaminated water.
Doctors use special tests to diagnose the infection, and treatment involves anti-parasitic drugs.
Kerala is reporting a rise in cases of Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM).
The infection is caused by the Naegleria fowleri amoeba, found in warm freshwater.
The amoeba enters the body through the nasal cavity.
Symptoms include fever, headache, and can lead to coma and death.
Prevention involves avoiding warm freshwater and proper hygiene.
- Who
- Health authorities, general public
- What
- Increased cases of PAM caused by Naegleria fowleri
- When
- Recent weeks
- Where
- Kerala, India
- Why
- Amoeba entering the nose from warm freshwater
Public Health Concerns
Risk Mitigation Strategies
Severity of the Outbreak
Public Health Concerns
Focusing on the severity of the outbreak and the rising case numbers.
Risk Mitigation Strategies
Emphasizing the importance of preventive measures and maintaining hygiene to minimize risks.
- Disease
- Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM)
- Causative Agent
- Naegleria fowleri amoeba
- Symptoms
- Severe headache, fever, nausea, vomiting
- Fatal Outcome
- Can lead to coma and death
- Transmission
- Water entering the nose
- Location
- Kerala, India
- Recent Cases
- 61 confirmed
- Recent Deaths
- 19
Sources
"No Cluster Of" Brain-Eating Amoeba Cases, Clarifies Kerala Health Minister
'Brain-Eating Amoeba' Kills 19 In Kerala. How It Spreads, How To Stay Safe
What is Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis: The 'brain-eating' amoeba behind 19 deaths in Kerala
Brain fever: DYFI announces mass chlorination drive in Kerala’s waterbodies
What Experts Say On "Biggest Challenge" In Dealing With Brain-Eating Amoeba That Killed 19 In Kerala
"Ship Has Already Sunk": Kerala Assembly Sees Clash Over Amoebic Brain Fever Issue
Kerala Opposition Slams Govt Over Amoebic Meningoencephalitis Deaths
'Brain-eating amoeba' claims 19 lives in Kerala
Higher detection, stricter guidelines leading to more cases: Kerala govt on brain-eating amoeba
'Brain-Eating Amoeba' Cases Rise In Kerala: What It Is, How It Spreads And How To Stay Safe
Can The Brain-Eating Amoeba Spread Through Drinking Water? Why Cases Are Rising In Kerala
‘Brain-eating’ amoeba kills 19 people in Kerala, total cases in the State rise to 71
Rare but ruthless: How a deadly amoeba is claiming lives in Kerala
