Brain Eating Insect.. 67 cases, 18 Deaths

After Kerala was devastated by the coronavirus a few years ago, a new disease is now spreading rapidly. This disease is called Amoebic Meningoencephalitis, caused by a brain-eating parasite known as Naegleria fowleri.

A 17-year-old boy from Thiruvananthapuram contracted this disease. He had gone swimming with his friends, after which he developed high fever, vomiting, and severe headaches. Initially, it was thought to be a common illness.

When the condition did not improve, doctors were consulted. At first, even the doctors could not identify the problem. After thorough tests, they discovered that a parasite was invading the boy’s brain.

This amoeba lives in water. When people go swimming, it can enter through the nose and directly reach the brain, where it begins its destructive work, gradually eating away at brain tissue. If not detected within 10 days, it can prove fatal.

The disease was first identified in Australia in 1965. Until recently, many believed it was confined to foreign countries. However, Kerala reported its first case last year.

Now, the number of cases has been rising. Currently, there are 67 reported cases, with 18 deaths so far. Doctors advise against swimming in ponds or unclean swimming pools, recommend drinking only boiled and cooled water, and stress the importance of maintaining clean surroundings.