Kasargod (Kerala): A 38-year-old man died of suspected amoebic encephalitis while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Kerala's Kannur district.
Deceased, M. Manikandan, a resident of Chattanchal Ukrampady in Kasagod district, worked in a shop along with his brother in Mumbai. He had returned home after suffering from a fever.
Manikandan had been undergoing treatment for the last two weeks. Initially, he was admitted to Kasaragod Government General Hospital and then shifted to a private hospital in Kannur. The infection was diagnosed at the private hospital. However, the source of infection remains unclear, particularly regarding its transmission from Mumbai.
Around 11 people have successfully recovered from amoebic encephalitis, and two of these were reported from Kerala. In view of the recent cases, the state health department has urged people to exercise caution.
Amoebic Encephalitis is an extremely rare disease, typically spread after coming in contact with contaminated water and is not a contagious disease.
Amoeba can be found in most waterbodies and tends to proliferate during the summers when water levels decrease. The amoeba in bottom sediments can enter the body through the nose when individuals swim in contaminated water.
Diagnosis is confirmed through a PCR test, which involves analysing fluid from the spinal cord. Some symptoms of this infection are headache, fever and coma.
Health officials have asked people to avoid bathing in contaminated water.
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