Health Department Warns of Amoebic Meningoencephalitis Threat in Kozhikode

Quick Summary

• Kozhikode Health Department issues alert following three cases and one death from primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a rare brain infection caused by the Naegleria fowleri amoeba.
• PAM does not transmit from person to person but infects through stagnant water entering the nose or eardrum, particularly while swimming or bathing.
• Children are more vulnerable due to anatomical differences in their cribriform plate and behavior suggesting severe symptoms include fading memory, epilepsy, and fainting.
• District Medical Officer Dr. K.K. rajaram advises avoiding stagnant/unhygienic water sources, using nose clips while swimming, and regularly chlorinating wells, ponds, pools-especially those at theme parks-and avoiding exposure for recently operated individuals on nasal/ear areas.
• Awareness activities are underway in thamarassery where a recent victim-a nine-year-old child-succumbed to PAM; presence of the pathogenic amoeba has been found near a patient’s home source under ICU observations indicated inclusion extended family-units / hospitalization region specifics chilter arounduct mor/specific filters clea-clear replace concern outcomes std future extent Users NEED ADC SYSTEMS => gov