Kerala Reports Fifth Death from Rare Brain Infection
A 56-year-old woman from Thiruvali in Malappuram district has died of amoebic meningoencephalitis at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital, raising the death toll from this rare brain infection to five within the past month.
Details of Victims and Current Patients
The latest victim, identified as Shobana, was admitted on September 4 in critical condition and placed on ventilator support. Earlier cases included a three-month-old infant from Omassery, a 52-year-old woman named Ramla, a nine-year-old girl from Thamarassery, and a middle-aged man from Wayanad. Currently, between nine and eleven patients, including children, are being treated at the hospital.
Rising Cases and Preventive Measures
Kerala has recorded about 42 confirmed cases of this brain-eating amoeba infection in 2025. In response, the state health department has launched the “Water is Life” campaign, encouraging chlorination of wells and public water bodies, and spreading awareness on safe water practices.
Coordination and Response Concerns
Experts have pointed to gaps in coordination between hospitals, local bodies, and the health department, warning that fragmented responses could hinder effective containment. Invoking the State Public Health Act underlines the urgency of the situation as authorities try to control the spread.
