Kerala's Battle Against Amoebic Encephalitis: A Health Revolution

The Kerala health department has teamed up with the ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE), Chennai, to investigate the causes behind the rise in amoebic meningoencephalitis cases in the state.

This rare and often deadly brain infection, primarily contracted through contaminated water, has claimed multiple lives recently. A field study has begun in Kozhikode and will extend to other districts including Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, and Malappuram.

Previously, in August 2024, a technical workshop involving experts was conducted to plan further research. This study is a continuation of those efforts with initiatives in early detection and treatment, significantly reducing the fatality rate from 99% globally to 24% in Kerala.