Brain-eating amoeba: Kerala reports 80 cases; 21 dead; state minister says cause of encephalitis cases still unknown

NEW DELHI: Kerala has reported 80 cases and 21 deaths in the Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), a rare but highly fatal brain infection caused by Naegleria fowleri — popularly called the “brain-eating amoeba," state health minister Veena George said on Tuesday.

While talking to reporters, George said that the cause of encephalitis cases is still unknown, but the state have developed its own testing facilities in all the microbiology labs.

"80 cases reported in the state and 21 deaths. The reason why amoebic meningoencephalitis cases are getting reported in Kerala is quite clear that after 2023, we have insisted on reporting every single encephalitis case and also finding the cause of it," George said while conversing to reporters.

#WATCH | Thiruvananthapuram: On cases of amoebic meningoencephalitis, Kerala Health Minister Veena George says, "80 cases reported in the state and 21 deaths. The reason why amoebic meningoencephalitis cases are getting reported in Kerala is quite clear that after 2023, we have… pic.twitter.com/PjTpf69klR

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"We don't know the cause of encephalitis cases...When we do early detection, we are able to save lives...We have developed our own testing facilities here and in all the microbiology labs. Definitely, amoebas are detected, and we do the PCR test, and we have issued guidelines back in 2024," she added.

She also said that the amoebas are detected, because of the PCR test, and the state have issued guidelines back in 2024.
"We have issued technical guidelines...So we are continuing our effort in identifying the disease, in finding the cause, and giving early treatment and saving lives..." she said.