Head injury or nose surgery can open the door to amoebic brain fever: Symptoms to watch out for

A head injury or nose surgery could make people more vulnerable to amoebic meningoencephalitis from water bodies, a joint study by the state health department and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has found. Health experts have advised such people to stay away from public water bodies or exercise extreme caution if they do enter them.

The study, conducted last year by a team of experts and officials led by ICMR scientists Dr Jeromy Thangaraj and Dr Manoj Murhekar, found that people with injuries to the jaw, face and other parts of the head, as well as those who had undergone nasal surgery, had contracted the infection after exposure to usual water bodies.

In addition, the infection was also linked to washing wounds or sores with water from water bodies, using water from non-chlorinated wells, and water entering the nose. The findings were based on an analysis of amoebic infection cases. The study put Kerala’s case fatality rate for amoebic meningoencephalitis at 25.8%.

Risk rises as rainfall declines
Infections caused by Naegleria fowleri can progress rapidly and prove fatal, while those caused by amoebae such as Acanthamoeba generally respond better to treatment, experts said. With rainfall easing and temperatures rising, health experts have urged people to remain particularly vigilant. The prevailing conditions are favourable for the multiplication of the amoebae that cause the infection, potentially increasing transmission risk.

People should stay away from contaminated water bodies, particularly those into which polluted water flows during rains. Those bathing in public water bodies should also exercise caution, health workers said.

The warning comes amid a surge in amoebic infection cases in Malappuram. A youth died last month after contracting the infection in the Kadampuzha area, while a child is currently undergoing treatment. The child was found to have contracted an Acanthamoeba infection and is said to be in satisfactory condition. Authorities have also asked local bodies to clean public ponds regularly and properly chlorinate wells.

Symptoms to watch out for
Fever, headache and vomiting are among the initial symptoms of amoebic meningoencephalitis. As the infection progresses, patients may develop loss of consciousness, disorientation and seizures. Severe cases can be fatal.