Scare of amoebic meningoencephalitis

The main reason why amoebic meningoencephalitis is a concern is its high mortality rate. This disease is spread through stagnant sewage, ponds and ditches with high levels of dirt. The Health Department will have to pay special attention to preventing amoebic meningoencephalitis since such situations are very common in Kerala. This is a disease with a mortality rate of more than 97 percent globally. The Health Minister said that the mortality rate in Kerala has been reduced to 25 percent due to excellent health activities. However, the fact that it has not yet been possible to completely prevent this disease points to the need for the people and the Health Department to be more vigilant in this regard.

The disease worsens when various amoebic pathogens infect the brain. Amoebae can infect the brain through the nose and through the holes in the eardrum. Warm water bodies in summer create ideal conditions for the growth of amoeba. However, the fact that this disease also increases during the rainy season has led to an increase in the disease rate. The only relief is that this is not an epidemic. As part of awareness, it has been advised not to bathe in contaminated ponds. The local government department should also be ready to take precautionary measures to identify such ponds and prevent people from entering them. Especially, those with facial injuries should definitely avoid bathing in such bodies of water. The authorities should also be ready to conduct frequent checks in water theme parks and swimming pools. Awareness about the symptoms of the disease should also be promoted through social media. Vomiting, difficulty looking at the water, high fever, nausea, etc. are the main symptoms. The chances of survival are very high if treatment is sought at the beginning. Although there are systems to detect the disease within 24 hours, there are no drugs that are guaranteed to be effective.

38 cases of amoebic meningoencephalitis were reported in Kerala in 2024. Eight people succumbed to the disease. A similar situation prevails in 2025. Moreover, new variants of the disease have also been discovered. The seriousness of the problem has increased significantly. It is estimated that the change in ambient temperature is a factor that helps the growth of amoeba. These amoebas are capable of surviving even adverse conditions.

It is a fact that people were very careful in washing their hands and practising other personal hygiene during the Covid period, but now it has completely reduced. Although the Health Department says that sufficient medicine has been stocked to deal with this disease and there is no need for unnecessary panic, it is good for people to take precautions on their own. School authorities should also pay attention to educating students. Along with this, steps should be taken to accelerate cleaning activities across the state.