19 dead in India due to ‘brain-eating’ amoeba infection

At least 19 people have died in the southern Indian state of Kerala out of 61 cases of primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). Several Indian media outlets have reported this information, quoting Health Minister Veena George.
The disease is caused by the ‘brain-eating amoeba’. According to the Kerala Health Ministry, 61 cases of infection have been reported in Kerala this year. The number of deaths has increased significantly in recent weeks. A health alert has been issued across the state.
The ‘brain-eating amoeba’ is spread by a bacterium called Naegleria fowleri. Its infection completely destroys brain tissue. As a result, the brain swells severely. Most of those infected with this bacteria die. The germ can spread to people of all ages, from children to the elderly.
Doctors say that although it is a rare disease, healthy children and young people are generally at higher risk of getting infected. This ‘brain-eating’ amoeba thrives in warm, stagnant and fresh water.
The first case of PAM was detected in India in 2016. The Kerala health department said that several cases of the disease have been reported in different parts of the state in the last decade.
The people of the country have been advised to avoid swimming or bathing in warm, stagnant and untreated fresh water sources like ponds and lakes.