A 32-year-old man from Rajapuram at Pananthady panchayat in Kasaragod district has reportedly contracted amoebic meningoencephalitis. He is currently undergoing treatment at Kozhikode Medical College.
The Health department suspects that the man contracted Amoebic meningoencephalitis infection after bathing in a waterbody.
On Saturday, a 45-year-old man from Wayanad died of amoebic encephalitis. This was the fourth death from the disease in the State in a month. Earlier, an eight-year-old from Thamarassery, a three-month-old baby and a housewife from Malappuram succumbed to the infection.
Currently, 11 patients, including a Kasaragod native, are being treated at Kozhikode Medical College. Among them, two are in critical condition. The group comprises two children and nine adults.
Amoebic meningoencephalitis is a rare but fatal disease caused by the amoeba Naegleria fowleri, commonly found in stagnant water bodies such as ponds and rivers. The amoeba enters the body through the nose and travels to the brain, causing severe complications. Initial symptoms include headache, fever, vomiting, and neck stiffness. In advanced stages, patients may experience seizures, fainting, and memory loss. The health department has urged people to avoid using stagnant water sources for bathing and to take precautions to prevent the spread of the disease.
Published – September 07, 2025 04:25 pm IST
