A 15-year-old teenager in Kerala's Alappuzha district died from a rare brain infection caused by free-living amoebae in contaminated waters.
The disease, known as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, has a 100% mortality rate, as all reported cases in the state have resulted in death.
The first case was reported in 2016 in Alappuzha, and additional cases were confirmed in Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Thrissur in subsequent years.
Symptoms of the disease include fever, headache, vomiting, and seizures.
These amoebae, found in stagnant water, enter the body through the nose and reach the brain to cause the infection.
Health officials advise people to avoid bathing or engaging in water-related activities in contaminated waters.
Public awareness campaigns are necessary to educate the public on the dangers of contaminated water and the risks of exposure to these amoebae.
Local authorities should invest in water management systems and surveillance measures to identify and address potential hotspots of contamination.
Immediate preventive measures, research, and heightened public awareness are crucial to combat this deadly brain infection caused by the amoebae.