Kerala has reported its fourth case of amoebic meningoencephalitis since May this year. This rare infection is caused by the free-living brain-eating amoeba Naegleria fowleri , found in contaminated waterbodies. The latest patient is a 14-year-old boy whose condition has improved after hospitalization on July 1. The infection was identified promptly, and the patient was treated with imported medicines. However, the first three patients, aged five, 13, and 14 years, died due to the infection.
The state government conducted a meeting to discuss preventive measures. Following the meeting, the government urged the public to avoid bathing in unclean waterbodies, chlorinate swimming pools adequately, and use nose clips while swimming. Previous amoebic infections were reported in Alappuzha district in the state in 2017 and 2023. What other measures can be taken to prevent this fatal infection?…
