India: Naegleria fowleri cases in Kerala

[Shiloh]

Source: https://unn.ua/en/news/rare-form-of-encephalitis-outbreak-in-india-19-deaths-already-in-kerala-state

Rare form of encephalitis outbreak in India: 19 deaths already in Kerala state
Kyiv • UNN
September 18 2025, 07:59 AM • 1952 views

In the southern Indian state of Kerala, 69 cases of a rare fatal infection - amoebic meningoencephalitis - have been recorded since the beginning of the year. The disease has already claimed 19 lives, including a three-month-old child, UNN writes with reference to Sky News.

It is noted that three deaths, including the death of a three-month-old child, occurred within the last month...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/indi...inister-veena-george-101758647531971-amp.html

At least 80 cases and 21 deaths due to amoebic meningoencephalitis in Kerala, says health minister Veena George
ANI |
Published on: Sept 23, 2025 11:19 pm IST

Kerala is grappling with a surge in amoebic meningoencephalitis cases, a rare and often fatal brain infection caused by the "brain-eating amoeba" Naegleria fowleri.

Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Tuesday said that a total of 80 cases and 21 deaths due to amoebic meningoencephalitis had been recorded in the state.

Speaking to reporters here, George attributed the increased reporting to Kerala's proactive approach since 2023, insisting on investigating every encephalitis case to determine its cause.

The state has developed its own testing facilities, including PCR tests, in microbiology labs across the region. Technical guidelines were issued in 2024, focusing on early detection, treatment, and prevention strategies like chlorination of water sources.

"80 cases reported in the state and 21 deaths. The reason why amoebic meningoencephalitis cases are getting reported in Kerala is quite clear that after 2023, we have insisted on reporting every single encephalitis case and also finding the cause of it. We do not know the cause of encephalitis cases ... When we do early detection, we are able to save lives ... and we conduct the PCR test. We issued guidelines back in 2024. We have continued our efforts in identifying the disease, in finding the cause, and giving early treatment and saving lives ... "George told reporters here.

Primarily caused by Naegleria fowleri, but other species like Balamuthia mandrillaris and Acanthamoeba have also been detected in Kerala. Infection occurs when water enters nasal passages, typically during swimming or bathing in contaminated freshwater.

Earlier, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor expressed deep concern over the rising cases, and requested people to not swim in the freshwater ...​