A 12-year-old boy in Kozhikode district, Kerala, contracted amoebic meningoencephalitis, a rare and severe brain infection caused by a free-living amoeba found in contaminated water sources. This incident marked the third near-fatal infection reported in the southern state since May.

The first case involved a five-year-old girl from Malappuram who tragically died on May 21, followed by a 13-year-old girl from Kannur who succumbed to the infection on June 25.

The boy was admitted to Baby Memorial Hospital for treatment, and the infection was confirmed through lab tests. The disease has an extremely high mortality rate of 95-100%, and the boy remained in critical condition.

Following the recent cases in Kerala, the hospital promptly initiated treatment based on established protocols. Medical experts explained that the infection occurs when free-living, non-parasitic amoebae enter the body through the nose via contaminated water sources.

In response, the Health Department issued warnings advising people to avoid bathing in stagnant water and diving in water bodies. They emphasized the importance of proper chlorination in theme parks and swimming pools to prevent such infections.

(Source:https://www.livemint.com/news/india/kerala-kozhikode-infection-brain-eating-amoeba-meningoencephalitis-healthcare-department-symptoms-precautions-fatal-11719628377994.html)