A piece of very shocking news is coming from Kerala’s Alappuzha district. A child was found to be dead after he gets affected by a very rare infection or say rare brain infection which is caused by amoeba present in contaminated water bodies. State Health Minister Veena George informed the media about this shocking incident of a boy who dies. The 15-year-old native of nearby Panavalli in Alappuzha was infected with the disease called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis. Further Health Minister also reports that 5 more such cases of rare infection has also been reported earlier in the state of Kerala. According to her,The first was reported in the Thirumala ward of Alappuzha in 2016.
what is a Rare brain-eating Amoeba?
A rare brain-eating amoeba, also known as Naegleria fowleri, is a single-celled organism that can cause a severe and usually fatal brain infection called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). Naegleria fowleri is typically found in warm freshwater environments, such as lakes, hot springs, and poorly maintained swimming pools.
Amoebic meningoencephalitis is a rare but severe brain infection that is typically caused by the amoeba Naegleria fowleri. This infection is commonly referred to as primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM).
When Naegleria fowleri enters the body through the nose, it can travel to the brain and cause inflammation and destruction of brain tissue, leading to the development of PAM. The infection progresses rapidly and can be life-threatening.
What are symptoms of Amoebic meningoencephalitis ?
The symptoms of amoebic meningoencephalitis usually appear within a few days after exposure to the amoeba. The initial symptoms may include:
Severe headache
High fever
Nausea
Vomiting
Stiff neck (neck stiffness)
Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
Altered mental status or confusion
As the infection progresses, additional symptoms may arise, including:
Seizures
Hallucinations
Loss of balance or coordination
Coma
It’s important to note that the symptoms can progress rapidly, and the infection is often fatal. Prompt medical attention is crucial if someone develops symptoms after potential exposure to Naegleria fowleri, particularly if they have been in warm freshwater environments. Early diagnosis and treatment may offer the best chance of survival, although the infection remains difficult to treat.
According to doctor it is very rare. And this boy might have got this from contaminated water. However it was very difficult to save the child and later he died due to this brain eating amoeba or say Amoebic meningoencephalitis . It’s very hard time for the family to lost their young child. Definitely this incident was very unfortunate.
