Amoebic meningoencephalitis: Wayanad on alert, caution urged against swimming in polluted water

Kalpetta: The health department has issued a high alert in the district after amoebic meningoencephalitis is suspected in two persons. Although it is not a communicable disease, amoebic meningoencephalitis is a dangerous disease that has a high death rate. Meanwhile, medical officer Dr. T Mohandas urged the public to seek immediate medical treatment if symptoms like fever is seen. 

Amoebic meningoencephalitis is a rare but serious brain infection caused by certain free-living amoebae that live in ponds, lakes, rivers etc. Seizure, loss of consciousness and short-term memory loss are some of the other symptoms of this condition. 

How it occurs
Free living amoebae like naegleria fowleri, acanthamoeba, Balamuthia Verm amoeba and sappinia enter the body through the skin or respiratory tract and spread to the brain. It can enter the body through a thin nasal lining that separates the nose and brain or the holes in the eardrum, causing meningoencephalitis. When you enter the water, the amoeba that lives in the sludge on the waterbed gets mixed in the water and enters the body through a soft nasal passage. The symptoms would begin to appear within 1 – 9 days after being affected. It must be noted that the chances of recovery are high if treated early. 

Symptoms
Severe headache, fever, vomiting, neck stiffness and difficulty looking at light are some of the common symptoms of amoebic meningoencephalitis. Meanwhile, kids may show reluctance to eat, lethargy and lack of responses. 

Points to note
Do not swim or wash face in polluted waterbodies like ponds or freshwater sources. Ponds covered in moulds or where animals are bathed could be the breeding ground for amoeba. Using water from tanks that aren’t cleaned for too long may be dangerous. Those who have sustained injuries on head or recently underwent nose or head surgery should be extra careful. People with infected ears shouldn’t bathe in ponds or freshwater. Make sure that the water in swimming pools and water theme parks is properly chlorinated. 

Meeting
A meeting of officials of various departments and elected representatives was held on Monday, as amoebic meningoencephalitis has been confirmed within the Bathery municipality. Meanwhile, the 43-year-old man who was admitted in the hospital on August 14 with a high fever was initially suspected to have scrub typhus. However, amoebic meningoencephalitis was confirmed in the test that was conducted after he was shifted to Kozhikode Medical College.