By Thanesh Veeramutu
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, 18 September 2025: Kerala’s health authorities have sounded a high alert following a significant surge in cases of Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), a rare and often fatal brain infection caused by the Naegleria fowleri amoeba. The state has recorded 69 confirmed cases and a staggering 19 deaths this year, prompting officials to intensify public health surveillance and issue urgent advisories to the public.
The amoeba, colloquially known as the “brain-eating amoeba,” thrives in warm, untreated freshwater and enters the body through the nose. Once inside, it travels to the brain, causing severe inflammation and rapid tissue destruction. The infection does not spread from person to person and cannot be contracted by drinking contaminated water. However, its high fatality rate—with patients often succumbing within days of symptom onset—has created a serious public health concern.
Kerala Health Minister Veena George clarified that unlike in previous years, the current infections are sporadic and not linked to a single water source. In response, the government has launched the “Jalamanu Jeevan” (Water is Life) campaign, a statewide chlorination drive aimed at ensuring the safety of wells, swimming pools, and community water tanks.
The symptoms of a Naegleria fowleri infection often mimic bacterial meningitis, beginning with severe headaches, fever, nausea, and a stiff neck. These signs can quickly progress to confusion, seizures, and eventual loss of consciousness, making early diagnosis critically challenging. Health officials are urging residents to take proactive preventative measures, including avoiding bathing or swimming in stagnant freshwater and using nose clips when engaging in water-related activities in such environments.
This outbreak has highlighted the ongoing public health challenge posed by waterborne pathogens in the region, underscoring the need for continued vigilance and robust preventative measures to protect communities.
