New Delhi: A 14 year old boy from Kerala’s Kozhikode has succumbed to a rare and fatal brain infection caused by the Naegleria fowleri amoeba. The victim, Mridul, contracted the infection after swimming in a contaminated pond, as reported by the news agency PTI. This tragic incident marks the third fatality in Kerala from this infection since May 21. Previously, a 5 year old girl from Malappuram and a 13 year old girl from Kannur succumbed to the same infection on June 25.
What is Naegleria Fowleri?
Naegleria fowleri is a microscopic amoeba found in warm freshwater environments such as lakes, ponds, rivers, hot springs, as well as in soil and untreated water. The amoeba can cause a severe infection known as primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) when contaminated water enters the body through the nose during activities like swimming or diving. PAM is a rapid and often fatal infection that requires immediate medical intervention, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Preventing Naegleria Fowleri Infection
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests several preventive measures to reduce the risk of Naegleria fowleri infection:
•Avoid water-related activities in warm freshwater during high-temperature months when water levels are low.
•Use a nose clip or hold your nose shut when jumping or diving into warm freshwater.
•Keep your head above water in hot springs and other naturally hot waters.
•Avoid disturbing sediment in shallow, warm freshwater, as the amoeba is more likely to be found at the bottom.
•Boil tap water for one minute and cool it before using it for nasal irrigation with neti pots, bulb syringes, squeeze bottles, and other similar devices. Alternatively, use distilled, sterile, or filtered water.
Treatment and Symptoms of Naegleria Fowleri Infection
Currently, there are no known effective treatments specifically for PAM. Medical professionals use a combination of drugs including amphotericin B, azithromycin, fluconazole, rifampin, miltefosine, and dexamethasone to manage the infection.
Symptoms of Naegleria fowleri infection include headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, and changes in mental state. According to the CDC, most individuals with PAM die within one to 18 days after symptoms begin. The infection often leads to coma and death approximately five days after the onset of symptoms.
Read Now:Study Says Fireworks Plays Major Part into Contribution of Air Pollution
