In a shocking turn of events, a minor boy from Kerala’s Kozhikode has died of a rare “brain-eating” amoeba infection, marking the third case in the state. According to reports, Mridul, who was a Class VII student, was admitted to the hospital after he complained of headaches and vomiting last month. He had taken a bath in a local pond, following which the symptoms started arising. After days of treatment, his condition deteriorated, and he passed away on Wednesday, July 3.
This event came within two months of similar cases in Kerala. The first death was reported in May this year in Malappuram, where a five-year-old girl died of the “brain-eating” amoeba. The second case came around in June, claiming the life of a 13-year-old boy from Kannur.
The recent deaths have raised concerns about the deadly “brain-eating amoeba”, also known as Naegleria fowleri. While the Kerala Health Department is looking forward to issuing special guidelines for the treatment of the infection, here’s all you need to know about the amoeba.
What is Brain-Eating Amoeba Or Naegleria Fowleri?
The Naegleria fowleri or “brain-eating” amoeba mainly causes the infection that has led to the deaths of three innocent minors. It lives in fresh, warm water, such as lakes and rivers, and can directly infect people upon entering their bodies through the nose. It is a rare but very dangerous microorganism that causes a fatal brain infection, known as primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). This virus can also be found in poorly maintained swimming pools.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), these brain infections caused by Naegleria fowleri are very rare and nearly always fatal. The highest exposure risks are from water bodies, especially during the summer months when water temperatures are higher and levels are lower.
Some of the early symptoms include headache, fever, nausea and vomiting. As the condition progresses rapidly, PAM victims are likely to die within 1 to 18 days after symptoms begin. It even leads to coma and death. A stiff neck, confusion, lack of attention to people and surroundings, loss of balance and hallucinations are among the other serious symptoms.
According to the CDC, they are not contagious, and one cannot get an infection from swallowing water containing the amoeba.
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