The Hindu : Page 03
Syllabus : Prelims Fact
A 12-year-old boy from Feroke died from primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, the third such death in Kerala in two months.
- The infection, caused by Naegleria fowleri, prompted the Health Department to plan new treatment guidelines.
Brain-Eating Amoeba:
- Naegleria fowleri, known as the “brain-eating amoeba,” is a free-living microorganism found in warm fresh water like lakes and hot springs.
- It infects humans by entering the nose, typically during swimming or diving, and travels to the brain, causing primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM).
- Symptoms include headache, fever, nausea, and seizures.
- The infection is rare but almost always fatal, necessitating prompt medical attention and awareness for prevention.
