KOZHIKODE: Two persons — a three-month-old and a 52-year-old woman — have died of amoebic meningoencephalitis, a rare but deadly brain infection, in the state.
They died on Sunday after having been under treatment at the Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital (MCH) for weeks. With this, the toll from the infection in the state has risen to three this year.
The infant, of a couple from Omassery in Kozhikode, had been under intensive care for the past 28 days. Doctors confirmed that the baby was on ventilator support and passed away around 11pm.
Preliminary investigations suggested that the infection originated from contaminated water in the well at their house. Water samples collected from the well tested positive for the presence of amoeba.
The second victim, Ramla, 52, a resident of Kappil, Cheroor, in Malappuram district, had been battling the infection for nearly one-and-a-half months. She first developed symptoms on July 7 and sought treatment at a private hospital in Tirurangadi before being shifted to another facility in Vengara. As her condition worsened, she was admitted to the Kozhikode MCH on August 4, where the infection was officially diagnosed.
Although Ramla initially showed signs of recovery and was shifted from the ICU to a ward, her condition deteriorated again after she developed fever and vomiting. Despite aggressive treatment, she died in the early hours of Sunday.
“The woman was also suffering from cardiac complications,” said Kozhikode MCH principal Dr Sajith Kumar. He said the infant was found to have low immunity.
“The infection was caused by Naegleria amoeba, which had entered the brains of both patients. The best possible treatment was provided,” Dr Sajith Kumar said.
“Currently, 10 patients are being treated for amoebic meningoencephalitis at Kozhikode MCH, all of whom have other serious health conditions as well. Medicines sourced from abroad are being administered to the patients. Two among the 10 patients remain in critical condition, both with underlying comorbidities,” he said.
Earlier, a nine-year-old girl from Thamarassery had died of the infection on August 14. The state has documented 42 confirmed cases so far this year. In 2024, there were 36 cases and nine fatalities.
The state health department has instructed local bodies to carry out extensive cleaning of wells and ponds, with special emphasis on chlorination of water sources, to curb further spread of the disease.