Fourth Case of Brain-Eating Amoeba Infection Reported in Kerala, 3 Infected Children Already Dead

Thiruvananthapuram: The fourth case of amoebic meningoencephalitis, a rare brain infection caused by a free-living amoeba found in contaminated waters was reported from Kerala.

According to reports, the recent patient is a 14-year-old boy from Payyoli in Kozhikode district of north Kerala. He is under treatment at a private hospital.

Since May four children got infected by this killer amoeba. Three of whom have already died.

The latest victim was admitted to the hospital on July 1.

On July 3, a 14-year-old boy infected with the killer amoeba died in Kerala. Two others — a five-year-old girl from Malappuram and a 13-year-old girl from Kannur — died on May 21 and June 25, respectively, due to the rare brain infection.

On Friday, following a meeting to discuss the disease, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan urged people not to bathe in unclean waterbodies. He also suggested proper chlorination of swimming pools and cautioned children not to enter unclean waterbodies as they are mostly affected by this disease. He also urged everyone to keep the waterbodies clean.