India Issues Health Alert After Deadly Brain-Eating Amoeba Surge in Kerala

The southern Indian state of Kerala is facing a significant public health challenge due to a surge in infections and deaths caused by the rare and deadly "brain-eating" amoeba Naegleria fowleri. This year, Kerala has reported around 69 cases and 19 deaths, doubling last year's numbers, with patients ranging from infants to elderly individuals. Unlike previous years, the infections are not clustered around specific water sources, complicating efforts to control the outbreak. Authorities have intensified testing, chlorination of wells and public water bodies, and public awareness campaigns to combat the spread, resulting in a higher survival rate of approximately 24%, far above the global average of 3%. Experts warn that climate change and increased recreational water activities are likely contributing to the rising encounters with this pathogen. The amoeba, which thrives in warm freshwater, causes primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a disease with a fatality rate exceeding 95%, making early detection and treatment crucial.