Thiruvananthapuram, Sept. 20 -- Kerala is witnessing a worrying rise in fatal cases of the 'brain-eating' amoeba, posing a serious public health challenge.
Since the beginning of 2025, the state has reported around 69 cases of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), including 19 deaths, caused by Naegleria fowleri, commonly known as the "brain-eating" amoeba, said Dr. Naresh Purohit, Advisor to the National Communicable Disease Control Programme.
Acclaimed epidemiologist Dr. Purohit explained that while amoebic meningoencephalitis is extremely rare, affecting roughly one in 10,000 people, its consequences are devastating.
"The threat may be microscopic, but the impact is monumental. By staying informed and taking simple precautions, w...