Know all about brain-eating amoeba infection that claimed two lives in Kerala

Exposure to contaminated water is a major reason for infection from a braineating amoeba that has claimed the lives of two young children within a month in Kerala said doctors calling for avoiding swimming in lakes and other water bodiesAmoebic encephalitis is a rare but fatal central nervous system infection caused by freeliving amoebae Naegleria fowleri amoeba also known as braineating amoeba found in freshwater lakes and riversA week earlier the infection Amoebic encephalitis caused by the Naegleria fowleri amoeba claimed the life of Dakshina a 13yearold girl from KannurEarlier in May a fiveyearold girl also from Kannur succumbed to the infectionAnother 12yearold boy from Kozhikode has been suspected of the disease after showing symptoms of an amoebic infection While two cases follow within days of a swim in a lake in Dakshinas case it reportedly took several months to manifestAmoebic encephalitis caused by the Naegleria fowleri amoeba typically starts one to 9 days after exposure to contaminated water This infection enters through the nasal cavity and advances rapidly potentially becoming fatal within days Dr Arjun Srivatsa Director ampamp HOD Institute of Neurosciences Sakra World Hospital told usSymptoms commonly include severe headache fever nausea vomiting stiff neck confusion loss of balance seizures hallucinations sensitivity to light and comaThere are two types of amebic encephalitis namely primary meningoencephalitis PAM and granulomatous amebic encephalitis GAE The initial symptoms of PAM are indistinguishable from bacterial meningitis while the symptoms of GAE can mimic a brain abscess encephalitis or meningitisAntimicrobial therapy is the mainstay of the treatment yet the mortality rate is above 90 per centDr John Paul Consultant in Tropical Medicine amp Infectious Disease SPARSH Hospital Bengaluru called on parents to take precautions before allowing children into any waterbodyAlso read Routine checks up and screenings men over 40 must considerPAM affects the central nervous system rapidly and the mortality rate is 90 per cent This usually occurs in healthy children and young adults who would have been exposed to any waterbody that has the presence of amoeba Naegleria fowleri This amoeba is present in warm and fresh water and the soil Dr John told usDr John explained that a week after contracting the infection the symptoms progress by causing stiffness in the neck seizures confusion hallucinations and personality changes photophobia loss of balanceIf not detected at the earlier stages the patientrsquos symptom progresses to coma severe brain swelling and death he saidThe experts advised avoiding swimming diving or submerging especially for people who are immunocompromised to minimise the risk of contracting amoebic encephalitis from contaminated waterIf swimming is necessary using nasal clips can provide some protection against Naegleria fowleri entering through the nasal passages Dr Arjun said